Heat's Erik Spoelstra calls LaMelo Ball's play 'stupid' after Bam Adebayo injured in play-in loss

Miami Heat caput manager Erik Spoelstra believed Charlotte Hornets defender LaMelo Ball should person been ejected aft yanking connected prima halfway Bam Adebayo’s foot, causing an wounded to his little back.

The incidental occurred successful the 2nd 4th of their Play-In Tournament crippled connected Tuesday night, wherever Adebayo had to beryllium retired the remainder of the crippled aft crashing hard to the level pursuing Ball’s action.

Charlotte ended up winning the crippled successful overtime, 127-126. As a result, the Heat missed the NBA Playoffs for the archetypal clip since the 2018-19 campaign.

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Head manager Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat watches the archetypal fractional against the Charlotte Hornets astatine Spectrum Center successful Charlotte, N.C., connected April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Spoelstra wasn’t trying to marque immoderate excuses aft the crippled regarding Adebayo’s lack and the loss. But helium thought Ball’s actions deserved harsh consequences.

"I didn’t spot it, but I don’t deliberation it’s cute," Spoelstra said, via ESPN. "I don’t deliberation it’s funny. I deliberation it’s a anserine play. It’s a unsafe play. Obviously, our champion subordinate was out.

"I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played large and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That’s a shame."

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Spoelstra added that Ball "should beryllium penalized" for what helium did.

"I don’t deliberation that belongs successful the crippled – tripping guys, shenanigans," helium said.

Ball ended up being the leader for Charlotte successful the end, too, hitting a clutch layup successful overtime with 4.7 seconds near to spell up 127-126.

After the game, Ball apologized for his actions that caused Adebayo to miss the remainder of the contest. He besides gave a crushed wherefore helium did it.

Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat reacts aft a autumn successful the archetypal fractional against the Charlotte Hornets astatine Spectrum Center successful Charlotte, N.C., connected April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

"I apologize connected that one," helium said. "I got deed successful the caput [on the play] and didn’t truly cognize wherever I was. But I’m going to cheque connected him, spot if he’s OK and everything."

To Ball’s point, helium attempted a fadeaway shot, which was blocked adjacent the hoop. Then, arsenic Adebayo went for the rebound and tried to enactment inbounds astatine the aforesaid time, Ball swiped astatine Adebayo’s ft with his near arm.

Spoelstra had an contented with the officials, particularly Curtis Blair, who helium said was close determination to witnesser what occurred.

"It’s his work to spot that," Spoelstra said. "And if it’s not his responsibility, past Zach’s [Zarba] got to spot it. Somebody has got to spot that, and that helium should person been thrown retired of the crippled for that." Zarba explained his broadside aft the game, via a excavation reporter.

LaMelo Ball celebrates with Coby White of the Charlotte Hornets successful overtime against the Miami Heat astatine Spectrum Center successful Charlotte, North Carolina, connected April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

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"The play wasn't whistled successful existent time," Zarba explained. "Play continued with a accelerated break. And due to the fact that play wasn't stopped immediately, and determination was nary whistle connected the play, the model to reappraisal the play was closed. Play was stopped, aft a alteration of possession, and past a timeout. So, by rule, our model to reappraisal that play past is closed."

While Adebayo near the crippled with six points and 3 rebounds, Ball finished with 30 points connected 12-of-31 shooting arsenic good arsenic 10 assists for a double-double and 5 rebounds.

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