LaMelo Ball fined after flagrant play injures Bam Adebayo as Hornets advance in play-In thriller

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LaMelo Ball fined after flagrant play injures Bam Adebayo as Hornets advance in play-In thriller originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Charlotte Hornets escaped with a dramatic play-in victory Tuesday night, but the fallout from the game has quickly shifted attention away from the result and onto LaMelo Ball.

The NBA announced Wednesday that Ball was fined $35,000 for making “unnecessary and reckless contact” with Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat during Charlotte’s 127–126 overtime win. The league determined the play created a “significant injury risk,” and upon further review, upgraded the incident to a flagrant foul 2—despite no foul being called during the game.

The sequence occurred early in the second quarter and quickly became the defining moment of the night. After missing a shot inside, Ball fell near Adebayo, who had secured the rebound and was attempting to stay in bounds. As Adebayo moved, Ball swiped at his leg, sending the Heat star crashing to the floor. No whistle was blown, and play continued while Adebayo remained down.

Adebayo, who suffered a lower back injury on the play, did not return, finishing with just 11 minutes played. His absence loomed large as Miami’s season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion. Without their defensive anchor and interior presence, the Heat struggled to maintain control, opening the door for Charlotte’s late push.

Controversy overshadows clutch moment as Ball, Hornets move forward​

Ball, meanwhile, delivered in the game’s biggest moment, scoring the winning layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime. It capped a thrilling finish but did little to quiet the controversy surrounding his earlier actions.

Miami coach Erika Spoelstra did not hold back after the game, calling the play “dangerous” and suggesting Ball should have been ejected. His frustration reflected a broader sentiment from the Heat, who felt the missed call directly impacted the outcome.

Adding to the situation, the NBA also fined Ball an additional $25,000 for using profane language during a postgame television interview.

Now, as Charlotte prepares for a win-or-go-home matchup against the Orlando Magic for the No. 8 seed, the focus shifts back to basketball. Still, the incident—and its consequences—will linger as one of the most controversial moments of the postseason’s opening stage.

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