Myron Gardner might have taken the rivalry a step further, and the internet noticed immediately.
Days after his on-court altercation with Scotty Pippen Jr., the Miami Heat forward posted an Instagram story featuring Future’s track ‘Thought It Was a Drought.’
On the surface, it looked like a random music choice. Given the context, it felt far more pointed.
The reference was hard to ignore. Scotty Pippen Jr.’s mother, Larsa Pippen, previously dated rapper Future following her separation from Scottie Pippen. Over the years, rumors swirled that Future was involved during the marriage, allegations Larsa has publicly denied. She has stated that she and Scottie were separated in 2016 and that her relationship with Future began afterward, describing it as an organic connection during a difficult period in her life.
Regardless of the timeline, the optics of Gardner using a Future song immediately after a heated clash with Pippen Jr. did not go unnoticed.
The incident between Gardner and Pippen Jr. occurred late in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 136-120 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. After Pippen drained a three-pointer, Gardner bumped him from behind, sending him to the floor. Pippen retaliated with a forceful shove, and both players were ejected. The NBA later fined each player $35,000, though neither received a suspension.
Pippen described the contact as a cheap shot, saying he was hit when he did not see it coming. Gardner insisted it was incidental, explaining that his momentum carried him into Pippen while hustling back on defense. He even added that he did not know much about Scotty, joking that he knew more about Scottie Pippen Sr.
Then came the Instagram story.
Fans quickly connected the dots. Social media lit up with reactions labeling Gardner a menace and praising the subtle trolling. Whether intentional or coincidental, the timing was impeccable from a narrative standpoint. Posting a Future song, given the history surrounding the Pippen family, felt like an extra jab layered on top of the on-court confrontation.
It also highlights how today’s NBA drama extends far beyond the hardwood. Social media has become a secondary battleground where players can needle opponents without saying a word directly. A song choice can be louder than a quote.
To be fair, Gardner never explicitly mentioned Pippen or his family in the post. Music is subjective, and Future is a widely streamed artist. Still, in the hyper-aware world of NBA fandom, context is everything.
For Pippen Jr., who has been carving out his own identity separate from his Hall of Fame father, the episode adds another layer of unwanted attention. He has focused on earning respect through performance, not headlines tied to family narratives.
As for Gardner, whether he meant to troll or simply enjoy a playlist, the moment has already taken on a life of its own. The Grizzlies and Heat will not meet again this season, so any on-court continuation will have to wait.
Until then, one Instagram story has kept the tension simmering.
