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

Miami Heat caput coach 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 incident occurred successful nan 2nd 4th of their Play-In Tournament crippled connected Tuesday night, wherever Adebayo had to beryllium retired nan remainder of nan crippled aft crashing difficult to nan level pursuing Ball’s action.

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

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Head coach Erik Spoelstra of nan Miami Heat watches nan first half against nan Charlotte Hornets astatine Spectrum Center successful Charlotte, N.C., connected April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Spoelstra wasn’t trying to make immoderate excuses aft nan crippled regarding Adebayo’s absence and nan loss. But he 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 stupid play. It’s a vulnerable play. Obviously, our champion subordinate was out.

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

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

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

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

After nan game, Ball apologized for his actions that caused Adebayo to miss nan remainder of nan contest. He besides gave a logic why he did it.

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

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

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

Spoelstra had an rumor pinch nan officials, particularly Curtis Blair, who he said was correct location to witnesser what occurred.

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

LaMelo Ball celebrates pinch Coby White of nan Charlotte Hornets successful overtime against nan 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 pinch a accelerated break. And because play wasn't stopped immediately, and location was nary whistle connected nan play, nan model to reappraisal nan 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 nan crippled pinch six points and 3 rebounds, Ball vanished pinch 30 points connected 12-of-31 shooting arsenic good arsenic 10 assists for a double-double and 5 rebounds.

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