The NBA has officially opened an investigation into a controversial moment involving LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo during Tuesday night’s play-in clash between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.
The league is reviewing a second-quarter play where Ball appeared to trip Adebayo, a sequence that ultimately led to the Heat star exiting the game with a lower back injury, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The incident occurred after a loose ball under the basket, when Adebayo secured the rebound and attempted to stay in bounds. Ball, who had fallen to the floor, reached toward Adebayo’s leg, sending him crashing down. No foul was called, and play continued.
Officials later explained why the moment wasn’t reviewed in real time.
“The play wasn’t whistled in real time,” crew chief Zach Zarba said to 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 time out. So, by rule, our window to review that play then is closed.”
Despite the missed call, the fallout was immediate. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra did not hold back when asked about the play postgame.
“I didn’t see it [when it happened], but I don’t think it’s cute,” Spoelstra said. “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, who finished the night as the hero with a game-winning layup in a 127–126 overtime victory, addressed the situation afterward and issued an apology.
“I apologize on that one,” Ball said of 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.”
READ MORE: LaMelo Ball Reacts to His Dirty Play on Bam Adebayo