Bam Adebayo Says LaMelo Ball Hasn't Reached Out After Trip Led to Injury in Heat vs. Hornets

While Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball apologized and said he was going to reach out to Bam Adebayo after tugging on his ankle during Tuesday's Eastern Conference play-in tournament game, the Miami Heat big man—who exited with an injury as a result of the play—said that is yet to happen.

"I apologize on that one," Ball told reporters after the game. "I got hit in the head [on the play] and didn't really know where I was. But I'm going to check on him, see if he's OK and everything."

Adebayo told reporters Thursday he hasn't talked to Ball, saying: "I want it to be out there. At some point I'll see him again and we'll have that conversation."

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported the NBA investigated the situation and determined Ball should have been called for a flagrant two, which would have resulted in an ejection.

Instead of Charlotte's primary ball-handler being ejected in the first half, the Heat lost their star big man for the remainder of the game. Chances are, his presence would have made a difference in the one-point outcome of a 127-126 Hornets win.

Heat-Hornets Highlights

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According to the league, Ball made "unnecessary and reckless contact" with Adebayo. The NBA fined the guard a combined $60,000 for the play and profanity he used in a postgame interview. However, it did not suspend him for Friday's play-in tournament game against the Orlando Magic, which will determine the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game he believed Ball should have been ejected.

"I don't think that belongs in the game, tripping guys, shenanigans," Spoelstra said. "Curtis was there. It's his responsibility to see that. And if it's not his responsibility, then Zach's got to see it. Somebody's got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that. I don't know him from anyone. There's no place in the game for that."

On Thursday, Spoelstra told reporters, "I don't think he's a dirty player. I just think, in that moment, all things can be true. It was a dirty play and a dangerous play. It should have been caught at that moment."

It wasn't the first time something like that happened involving Ball and Adebayo.

In January 2024, Ball also grabbed at Adebayo's leg and caused a stumble that did not result in a fall. 

"There's never been any, like, bad blood between us. ... There's always been good conversations," Adebayo said. "As far as those incidents, I can't tell you what goes through his mind."

Ball remaining in the game ended up being critical, as he finished with 30 points, 10 assists and five rebounds despite shooting an ugly 12-of-31 from the field and 2-of-16 from deep.

He was very involved in the closing sequence of overtime as well.

With the Hornets nursing a two-point lead in the final seconds, he turned the ball over and then fouled Tyler Herro on a three-pointer. Miami took the lead with the three free throws, but Ball earned some redemption by scoring what proved to be the winning basket on the ensuing possession.

Now the Hornets are one game away from the playoffs, while the Heat are left to wonder about what could have happened if Adebayo remained in the game.