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Erik Spoelstra rips LaMelo Ball for tripping Heat star Bam Adebayo
TL;DR
Erik Spoelstra criticized LaMelo Ball after the Miami Heat's overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament. The game ended 127-126, with Ball's controversial trip of Bam Adebayo drawing attention.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was fired up after his team was eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by the Charlotte Hornets in Tuesday night’s Play-In Tournament game.
The Heat lost in overtime, 127-126, after a game-winning shot by Hornets star LaMelo Ball. But that wasn’t the only big moment involving Ball in the game.
In the first half, Ball and Heat big man Bam Adebayo collided under the basket, which knocked Adebayo off balance. Ball then swiped at Adebayo’s foot and tripped him to the ground.
MORE: 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament TV schedule, full list of games & tip times
The incident resulted in Adebayo suffering a lower back injury, which kept him out for the remainder of the game.
Is this a dirty play by LaMelo? pic.twitter.com/tPebBPDLDC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2026
Ball was not penalized on the play.
After the game, Spoelstra sounded off on the incident during his post-game press conference and ripped Ball for the play and the referees for not calling a foul and kicking the Hornets star out of the game.
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“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,” Spoelstra told reporters. “He should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys.
“Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that.”
Erik Spoelstra on LaMelo Ball's dirty play on Bam:
"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. He should be penalized for that. I don't think that belongs in the game, tripping guys. Somebody has got to see that. He… pic.twitter.com/7pbCWPnUv8
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 15, 2026
It will be interesting to see if the NBA reviews the incident and hands down any punishment to Ball.
Unfortunately, the injury proved to be costly for the Heat, and their season is now over.
Ball, meanwhile, finished the game with 30 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, and the Hornets will advance to the final play-in game on Friday, April 17. Charlotte will now face the loser of Wednesday night’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
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Q&A
What did Erik Spoelstra say about LaMelo Ball's actions during the game?
Erik Spoelstra expressed his frustration with LaMelo Ball for tripping Bam Adebayo, which he viewed as an unsportsmanlike move during a critical moment in the game.
How did the Miami Heat perform in the Play-In Tournament against the Charlotte Hornets?
The Miami Heat lost to the Charlotte Hornets 127-126 in overtime during the Play-In Tournament, resulting in their elimination from the playoffs.
What was the significance of LaMelo Ball's game-winning shot?
LaMelo Ball's game-winning shot secured the Hornets' victory over the Heat, allowing Charlotte to advance in the NBA playoffs while ending Miami's season.