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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra believed Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball should have been ejected after shooting at star center Bam Adebayo’s foot, causing a lower back injury.
The incident occurred during the second quarter of their Play-In Tournament match on Tuesday night, where Adebayo had to sit out the remainder of the match after crashing violently to the ground following Ball’s action.
Charlotte ended up winning the match in overtime, 127-126. As a result, the Heat missed the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
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Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat watches the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Spoelstra didn’t make excuses after the match regarding Adebayo’s absence and loss. But he believed Ball’s actions deserved serious consequences.
“I haven’t seen it, but I don’t think it’s cute,” Spoelstra said via ESPN. “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 excuses. The Hornets played really well and made those plays down the stretch. We had our chances to win. It’s a shame.”
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Spoelstra added that Ball “should be penalized” for what he did.
“I don’t think that’s part of the game — tripping guys up, doing shenanigans,” he said.
Ball ended up being Charlotte’s hero in the end as well, hitting a clutch layup in overtime with 4.7 seconds left to go up 127-126.
After the match, Ball apologized for his actions that caused Adebayo to miss the rest of the competition. He also gave the reason why he did it.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat reacts after a fall in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“I apologize for that one,” he said. “I was hit in the head [on the play] and I didn’t really know where I was. But I’m going to check on him, see if he’s okay and everything.”
At Ball’s point, he attempted a fadeaway shot, which was blocked near the hoop. Then, as Adebayo went for the rebound and tried to stay inbounds at the same time, Ball hit Adebayo’s foot with his left arm.
Spoelstra had a problem with those responsible, particularly Curtis Blair, who he said was there to witness what happened.
“It’s his responsibility to ensure that,” Spoelstra said. “And if it’s not his responsibility, then Zach’s [Zarba] I have to see it. Someone needs to realize this and he should have been kicked out of the game for this.”
Zarba explained his side after the match, via a poolside reporter.
LaMelo Ball celebrates with Coby White of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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“The play was not whistled in real time,” Zarba explained. “The play continued with a fast break. And because the play was not stopped immediately and there was no whistle, the window to review the play was closed. The play was stopped after a change of possession and then a timeout. So, by rule, our window to review that play is then closed.”
While Adebayo left the game with six points and three rebounds, Ball finished with 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting along with 10 assists for a double-double and five rebounds.
