Sports
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
NBA reviewing LaMelo Ball takedown of Bam Adebayo that led to Heat star's exit from game
TL;DR
The NBA is reviewing LaMelo Ball's takedown of Bam Adebayo during a play-in game, which resulted in Adebayo exiting the game with an injury. The incident occurred when Ball swept Adebayo's leg after a blocked shot, but no foul was called at the time.
NBA reviewing LaMelo Ball takedown of Bam Adebayo that led to Heat star's exit from game
It was a play that changed the game — and now the NBA is reviewing the situation.
Early in the second quarter of the Miami at Charlotte play-in game on Tuesday, LaMelo Ball drove the lane and threw up a shot that Simone Fontecchio blocked, and Ball went to the ground and looked for a whistle that did not come. Miami's Bam Adebayo grabbed the loose ball as he was starting to step out of bounds, and Ball reached over and swept Adebayo's leg, leading to a nasty fall.
No foul was called and play went on to the other end but Adebayo stayed on the ground, eventually limping back to the Heat locker room not to return. The play was not reviewed because, by league rule, there was no foul call to review.
The NBA is now reviewing the situation.
That play cost Miami its best player for the rest of a win-or-go-home game, and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame Ball should have been ejected for it (quotes via ESPN and Associated Press).
"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...
"He should have been thrown out of the game for that. There is no place in the game for that."
Ball apologized after the game.
"I apologize on that one," Ball said. "I got hit in the head and didn't really know where I was. But I'm going to check on him and see if he is OK and everything."
If the NBA review finds that Ball was not called for what should have been a flagrant foul at the time, the league can either fine him (the most likely outcome) or suspend him for a game, meaning he would miss Friday's win-and-you're-in game between the Hornets and the loser of Wednesday's 76ers vs. Magic game.
Even without Bam, the Heat came very close to winning a dramatic, thrilling game.
Charlotte advanced with a 127-126 overtime win, with Ball hitting a game-winning layup on one end and Miles Bridges getting a game-saving block on the other.
Q&A
What happened between LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo during the play-in game?
LaMelo Ball swept Bam Adebayo's leg after a blocked shot, causing Adebayo to fall and later exit the game due to injury.
Why is the NBA reviewing LaMelo Ball's actions against Bam Adebayo?
The NBA is reviewing the incident because it led to Adebayo's injury, despite no foul being called during the game.
What are the potential consequences for LaMelo Ball after the review of the takedown?
Depending on the review's outcome, LaMelo Ball could face disciplinary action from the NBA if deemed to have committed a foul or acted recklessly.
