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The NBA ruled LaMelo Ball's foul on Bam Adebayo as flagrant but did not suspend him, allowing Ball to play in the upcoming game. The decision was met with relief from the Hornets and acceptance from the Heat's coach.
MIAMI (AP) â In Miami, the NBA's decision that LaMelo Ball grabbing Bam Adebayo was an ejection-worthy flagrant foul didn't register much of a reaction. In Charlotte, the fact that the ruling didn't include a suspension brought relief. Ball will play Friday for the Hornets in their play-in elimination game at Orlando â the reality that Charlotte coach Charles Lee hoped for, and something that Miami coach Erik Spoelstra didn't seem to have a problem with. âI didnât think that he needed to be penalized more moving forward. I don't think that would make sense," Spoelstra said Thursday as the Heat held their season-ending meetings â two days after being eliminated from the postseason with a 127-126 loss in Charlotte, a game that Adebayo missed much of after being injured on a play where Ball grabbed at his ankle as he was falling. âI donât think heâs a dirty player. I just think, in that moment, all things can be true,â Spoelstra said. âIt was a dirty play and a dangerous play. It should have been caught at that moment. But it wasnât and then, you know, you move on.â The league said Ball made âunnecessary and reckless contactâ with Adebayo. Ball was fined $35,000 for the foul, plus another $25,000 for using profanity in a postgame on-court interview. The flagrant foul from Tuesdayâs game, if called as a Category 2 in real time, would have resulted in Miami being awarded two free throws and possession of the ball â plus would have led to Ball's ejection. An NBA investigation is standard after such plays; referee Zach Zarba even told a pool reporter Tuesday night that the league would be looking into the play further. The league's word came late Wednesday night, and only then could Lee exhale. âI think the league handed out something that was what they deemed to be fair," Lee said in Charlotte on Thursday before the team's flight to Orlando. "And weâre glad that we still have him going on to the next game. I know he never has the intent to try to hurt anybody out there on the court. But I'm glad everythingâs kind of settled now.â Per NBA rules, the Heat could not challenge the ruling on the play because no foul was called. Play continued, leaving no opportunity for a replay review. Adebayo was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion as a result of the fall. It's at least the second time Ball has been involved in such a play with Adebayo. During a game at Miami in January 2024, when Ball grabbed at Adebayoâs leg as the Heat star was running to the other end of the court. Adebayo stumbled but did not fall. \\_ AP NBA:
The NBA deemed LaMelo Ball's foul as a flagrant foul but did not impose a suspension, allowing him to continue playing.
LaMelo Ball was fined $35,000 for the flagrant foul and an additional $25,000 for using profanity during a postgame interview.
Bam Adebayo was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion as a result of the foul committed by LaMelo Ball.

Lampard celebrates Coventry's return to the Premier League after 25 years!
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