LaMelo Ball learns punishment from NBA after tripping Bam Adebayo

Hornets star LaMelo Ball was fined $35K for his Flagrant 2 foul on Bam Adebayo throughout Tuesday night time’s win over the Warmth within the NBA play-in event.

The incident occurred within the second quarter when Ball fell to the ground after taking a shot and swiped on the leg of Adebayo, inflicting the Warmth massive man to fall arduous to the courtroom and depart the sport with a decrease again situation.

Within the second, the play was not referred to as a foul, however the league reviewed the play and assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for “making pointless and reckless contact” with Adebayo that “created important damage threat.”

A basketball player in a black and red uniform holding a basketball, jumping over another player in a white and green uniform who has fallen to the ground. — The Warmth’s Bam Adebayo was injured within the workforce’s play-in recreation towards the Hornets. Screenshot

Adebayo didn’t return to the sport after the incident and the Warmth misplaced the sport in extra time 127-126.

Ball was additionally hit with a $25,000 nice by the NBA for using profane language throughout a stay interview on TV after the sport.

Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra was irate after the sport over the scenario together with his star.

“I didn’t see it, however I don’t suppose it’s cute,” Spoelstra informed reporters. “I don’t suppose it’s humorous. I believe it’s a silly play. It’s a harmful play. Clearly, our greatest participant was out.

“I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets performed nice and so they made these performs down the stretch. We had our alternatives to win. That’s a disgrace.”

Ball additionally addressed the incident after the sport, apologizing for the play.

“I obtained hit within the head and didn’t actually know the place I used to be, however I’m going to examine on [Adebayo] and see if he’s OK,” he mentioned.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court, holding his face in pain. — Bam Adebayo lies on the courtroom and was compelled to depart the sport with a decrease again situation in the course of the first half of the Warmth’s loss to the Hornets in an NBA play-in event recreation on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, N.C. AP

Ball completed the sport with 30 factors and hit the game-winning layup for the Hornets in extra time with simply seconds left on the clock.

He was additionally concerned in a comical interplay after the sport with the Hornets mascot Hugo, who he playfully punched within the head due to the thrill of the victory and caught the character off guard.