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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra believed Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball should have been ejected after tugging on star center Bam Adebayo’s foot, causing a lower back injury.
The incident took place in the second quarter of their Play-In tournament game on Tuesday night, with Adebayo forced to sit out the rest of the game after crashing to the floor heavily following Ball’s action.
Charlotte ended up winning the game 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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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Spoelstra didn’t try to make any excuses after the game regarding Adebayo’s absence and the loss. But he believed Ball’s actions deserved harsh consequences.
“I didn’t see 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 an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. It’s a shame.”
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Spoelstra added that Ball “should be punished” for what he did.
“I don’t think it belongs in the game — tripping guys, shenanigans,” he said.
Ball ended up being the hero for Charlotte in the end, also 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 a 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, NC on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
“I apologize for that,” he said. “I got hit in the head [on the play] and didn’t really know where I was. But I’ll check on him, see if he’s okay and all.”
To Ball’s point, he attempted a fadeaway shot that was blocked near the hoop. Then, as Adebayo went for the rebound and tried to stay inside at the same time, Ball swiped at Adebayo’s foot with his left arm.
Spoelstra had a problem with the officials, especially Curtis Blair, who he said was right there to witness what happened.
“It’s his responsibility to see that,” Spoelstra said. “And if it’s not his responsibility, it’s Zach’s [Zarba] must see it. Someone needs to see that and that he should have been kicked out of the game for that.” Zarba explained his side after the game via a pool reporter.
LaMelo Ball celebrates with Coby White of the Charlotte Hornets during 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 piece was not played in real time,” Zarba explained. “The play continued on a fast break. And because the play wasn’t stopped immediately and the whistle wasn’t blown, the window to review the play was closed. The play was stopped, after a change of possession, and then a timeout. So usually our window to review the play is closed after that.”
While Adebayo left the game with six points and three rebounds, Ball finished with 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting as well as 10 assists for a double-double and five rebounds.
