Bam Adebayo Publicly Calls Out Hornets Star LaMelo Ball

The Miami Heat's season ended on Tuesday night at the hands of LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. Of course, it doesn't help that Bam Adebayo left their play-in game early due to injury.

For some inexplicable reason, Ball pulled at Adebayo's left foot as he was going up for a rebound. The All-Star center fell on his back and needed assistance to leave the court. As you'd imagine, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was furious about that play.

"I didn't see it [when it happened], but I don't think it's cute. 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," Spoelstra told reporters. "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 wasn't ejected despite how dirty his foul looked. After hitting the game-winning shot in overtime, he somewhat owned up to his mistake.

"I apologize on that one," Ball said. "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."

Apparently, Ball is taking his sweet time when it comes to apologizing directly to Adebayo.

During this afternoon's end-of-season press conference, Adebayo was asked if Ball reached out to him to discuss Tuesday's incident. As of this moment, the All-Star guard hasn't taken full accountability.

"It didn't happen," Adebayo told reporters. "I want it to be out there. At some point I'll see him again and we'll have that conversation."

NBA disciplines LaMelo Ball...sort of.

The NBA announced Wednesday that Ball has been fined $35,000 for the foul on Adebayo. He was also fined another $25,000 for using profanity during his postgame interview.

Countless fans thought Ball should've been suspended for Friday's play-in game against the Orlando Magic.

"Did LaMelo Ball intend to break Bam Adebayo's back when he pulled his leg out from under him? Arguably no," one fan commented. "However LaMelo Ball absolutely 100% committed an intentional and purposeful tripping foul violation knowing that it would take the man down to the hardwood floor. Suspend him."

"Suspend Lamelo Ball for that dirty trip on Bam. Absolutely insane you let that go," a second fan said.

Friday's play-in game between the Hornets and Magic will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 1:24 PM.