Hornets’ Ball penalized $60,000 for two play-in events
On Wednesday night, the NBA imposed a $35,000 fine on Hornets star LaMelo Ball “for making unnecessary and reckless contact” with Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat during the play-in game held on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The league indicated that the incident “created a significant injury risk” for Adebayo, who sustained a lower back injury and did not return to the game, playing only 11 minutes in total as Miami’s season concluded with a 127-126 overtime defeat—one in which Ball scored the decisive basket with a layup with 4.7 seconds remaining.
Additionally, Ball received a flagrant foul 2 after the league reviewed the incident on Wednesday. No foul was called during the game on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the NBA announced on Wednesday night that Ball was fined $25,000 for using inappropriate language during a television interview following the play-in game.
Ball and the Hornets are scheduled to play again on Friday against the team that loses the play-in game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
The contentious play involving Adebayo, the Heat’s prominent big man, took place early in the second quarter on Tuesday.
After Ball had his shot blocked inside, Adebayo secured the rebound and attempted to maintain his position in bounds. Ball fell near the Heat center and swiped at his foot, causing Adebayo to fall hard to the floor without a whistle being blown. The game continued while Adebayo remained down. Following a layup by Miami’s Pelle Larsson and a dunk by Ball, the Heat called a timeout with 10:58 left in the quarter.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remarked after the loss that Ball should have been ejected, stating that officials overlooked the incident.
“I didn’t see it [when it happened], but I don’t think it’s cute,” Spoelstra commented. “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. You should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game. Tripping guys, shenanigans.”
Ball expressed his regret twice following the Hornets’ victory.
“I apologize on that one,” he stated regarding the trip. “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.”
Official Zach Zarba explained that the crew was unable to review the play.
“The play wasn’t whistled in real time,” Zarba informed a pool reporter. “Play continued with a fast break. And because play wasn’t stopped immediately, and there was no whistle on the play, the window to review the play was closed. Play was stopped after a change of possession, and then a timeout. So, by rule, our window to review that play then is closed.”
Following Tuesday’s play-in game, footage resurfaced of a previous incident between Ball and Adebayo. In a regular-season victory for the Heat on January 14, 2024, Ball was on the floor and seemed to intentionally reach for Adebayo’s leg as the Heat big man began to run up the court.
