The NBA is expected to review the LaMelo Ball tripping incident from Tuesday’s 127-126 play-in victory, which sidelined Bam Adebayo with a back injury after he played just six minutes, NBA insider Chris Haynes first reported Wednesday.
The play occurred with 10:58 left in the second quarter. After falling backwards on a shot attempt, Ball appeared to have grabbed the back of Adebayo’s ankle before taking it out from under him, causing Adebayo to fall and land on his buttocks. As a result, the Heat star injured his back.
Adebayo finished with just six points and three rebounds in six minutes.
While he credited the Hornets for the hard-fought dog fight, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was not happy with Ball’s actions after the game.
“I don’t think it’s cute,” he said. “I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player was out. I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played great, and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win.
“That’s a shame. He should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game — tripping guys, shenanigans. [Curtis Blair] was there. It’s his responsibility. And if it’s not his responsibility, then [Zach Zarba]’s got to see it. Somebody’s got to see that. [LaMelo Ball] should have been thrown out of the game for that.”
The game’s crew chief, Zach Zarba, assessed the incident after the game, explaining why it wasn’t reviewed for a possible flagrant in real time.
“Because play wasn’t stopped immediately, and there was no whistle on the play, the window to review the play was closed,” Zarba said, according to the Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman. “Play was stopped, after a change of possession, and then a time-out. So, by rule, our window to review that play then is closed.
“At this point, that goes to league operations, and they’ll make a determination on that in the coming days. So, they will make that determination and go from there.”
***
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates!
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Heat will be No. 13 pick in 2026 NBA Draft, do not move up in lottery
- The Heat’s biggest hole entering 2026 summer is quite obvious
- These 3 Miami Heat players were biggest bright spots this season
- 2025-26 Miami Heat Player Review: Kel’el Ware
- Who will be representing the Miami Heat at 2026 NBA Draft lottery?
- Poll: If Heat land top-4 pick, would you trade it for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
- How the Bucks owner’s comments surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo impact Heat
So it was a flagrant 2. A $35k fine. Spo was right, he should have been ejected.
Also NBA is okay with not suspending their stars for dirty plays. Not shocking.
In the end, Miami probably lost the game due to incompetence by the refs, and a dirty play by the Hornets, but it also is probably beneficial to the franchise that they don’t make the playoffs. The 13th pick, is better than the 17th or so pick. They have a long shot at a top 4 (maybe the nba will freeze a envelope for them as a make good, but probably not)
I agree, on all points. And Charlotte has a days more rest, but still may not get past Orlando.
So you guys have comment moderation, and you rejected my comment? After I wrote over 1000 articles for Hot Hot Hoops you won’t let me pitch my video series here? That is lame.
Apparently the NBA/Silver are considering upgrading the Lomelo Ball foul that caused Bam’s injury to a flagrant foul 1 or 2. WTF does that do? Are they going to suspend him? Probably not. Are they going to give Miami 2 foul shots after the fact. No. What a bunch of bullshit. Adam Sikver needs to be fired and Ball needs to be suspended!!!
https://twitter.com/i/status/2044502687639867634
It literally cost Miami the game. Looked like Bam got 1Q rest and was going to play the entire rest of the way until Ball took him out. Diabate could not stop Bam in the paint and Miami has really struggled to defend and rebound without Bam all season.
Has to be a suspension for Ball unless the precedent now is when you’re frustrated because you’re playing bad and missing threes in a must win game you’re allowed to leg sweep the opponent and remove them from the game.
A lot of times it seems like to me, that some refs don’t have the courage to make the right call. And that’s in a lot of sports, not just basketball. There’s a lot of home cooking in big games. That’s why I applaud the use of machines to call balls and strikes. Too bad some calls can’t be controlled by robots- maybe someday they will be.
Bam Adebayo Injury Update: Doctor Suggests Serious Diagnosis, Possible Multi Month Recovery
Dr. Brian Sutterer explained what the injury could be and the possible recovery time.
“As he falls, he lands square, directly on his backside, potentially suffering injuries to the sacrum, the coccyx or the low back,” Sutterer explained.
“The majority of that impact is probably going through the sacrum, Sutterer expressed, “so I would not be surprised at all if we see this injury end up being a severe sacral contusion, like a bad sacral bone bruise or even a sacrum fracture.”
“We remember what happened with Chet Holmgren right? When he fell and had that iliac fracture that put him out multiple weeks if not multiple months,” Sutterer said. “ … That sacrum, the coccyx is a very vulnerable, exposed area when you have a direct trauma that can definitely cause a fracture in a situation like this.”
Thank you Again Charlotte and thank you Adam Silver/NBA.
Some fans are actually happy Bam got injured because they think it’ll force Miami to rethink tanking. But if this ends up being more than just a bone bruise, it could hurt his long-term health and tank his trade value if they decide to rebuild.
NBA owes Heat and all NBA fans an apology.
Ball and the officiating refs need to be sanctioned.
True.
Bum @$$
Ball should be fined and suspended from next game. NBA should reopen Rozier trade “investigation.”
How many times is Silver going to condone Charlotte’s illegal transactions and illegal plays that harm Miami?
When are Riley and Arison going to stand up to him. If there is one thing I despise, it’s people who have no spine and are unwilling to stand up for what is right!