Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball is in the hot seat after what happened in the second quarter of their 127-126 overtime win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Both teams showed determination in the first game of the play-in tournament. Unfortunately for the Heat, they lost their best player, Bam Adebayo, after he was accidentally tripped by Ball.
Adebayo secured a rebound, and his left leg was swept by Ball, who was lying on the floor. He immediately grabbed his back, while the play continued. None of the officials called a foul or a game stoppage to review the footage.
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The Heat had to take the three-time All-Star out, and he was shortly ruled out of the contest.
LaMelo Ball Could Face Punishment From the NBA
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) © Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Charlotte Observer’s Rod Boone had a Pool Report interview with crew chief Zach Zarba. The seasoned NBA official said that the action proceeded to a fast break and that the game was not halted since it was not whistled in real time. The authorities did not have enough time to assess the play because of this sequence.
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“Play was stopped, after a change of possession, and then a timeout. So, by rule, our window to review that play then is closed,” Zarba said.
Boone also asked Zarba if the play would’ve escalated to a flagrant foul if it were reviewed. However, the official said that the league will determine the appropriate call on Ball’s play in the coming days.
“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.”
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A potential flagrant foul won’t change the results of the Hornets-Heat game. However, Miami has complained about what happened in the game and believes that it should’ve been pointed out when it occurred. During the postgame presser, head coach Erik Spoelstra called out Ball for his actions.
He called it a “stupid play” and believes that it shouldn’t be part of the game. The Heat coach also said that the one-time All-Star should’ve been ejected from the game. Still, he gave credit to the effort that the Hornets showed.
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Ball also addressed what happened in front of reporters. According to him, he reached out to Adebayo and apologized. He explained that it wasn’t an intentional play and that he did not know what was happening around him.
The Hornets will wait for the coming days to see what the league decides is the appropriate punishment for their star.
Related: Erik Spoelstra Had Words for LaMelo Ball After Bam Adebayo’s Injury During Hornets-Heat
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.