MIAMI — The NBA’s determination that LaMelo Ball’s grab of Bam Adebayo constituted a flagrant foul worthy of ejection generated little response in Miami.
In Charlotte, however, the fact that the league’s ruling stopped short of a suspension provided significant relief.
Ball remains available for Friday’s crucial play-in elimination matchup when the Hornets face Orlando — exactly the outcome Charlotte head coach Charles Lee was hoping for, and a decision that Miami’s Erik Spoelstra appeared comfortable with.
“I didn’t believe he should face additional penalties going forward. That wouldn’t have made sense to me,” Spoelstra commented Thursday during the Heat’s season-ending discussions — occurring two days following their postseason elimination in a 127-126 defeat at Charlotte, a contest where Adebayo sat out significant time after sustaining injury when Ball grabbed his ankle during a fall.
“I don’t believe he’s a dirty player. I just think, in that moment, all things can be true,” Spoelstra explained. “It was a dirty play and a dangerous play. It should have been caught at that moment. But it wasn’t and then, you know, you move on.”
The NBA determined Ball committed “unnecessary and reckless contact” against Adebayo. Ball received a $35,000 fine for the incident, along with an additional $25,000 penalty for using profanity during a postgame court-side interview.
Had the flagrant foul from Tuesday’s contest been assessed as a Category 2 violation during live action, Miami would have received two free throws and ball possession — while Ball would have faced immediate ejection.
League investigations following such incidents are routine procedure; official Zach Zarba informed a pool reporter Tuesday evening that the NBA would conduct additional review of the sequence. The league’s decision arrived late Wednesday evening, finally allowing Lee to feel relieved.
“I believe the league issued what they considered appropriate,” Lee stated in Charlotte Thursday prior to the team’s departure for Orlando. “And we’re pleased that we still have him available for the upcoming game. I know he never intends to injure anyone on the basketball court. But I’m relieved everything’s resolved now.”
According to NBA regulations, Miami could not contest the play’s ruling since no foul was initially called. Action continued without pause, preventing any replay review opportunity. Adebayo received a lower-back contusion diagnosis resulting from the fall.
This marks at least the second occasion Ball has been involved in such an incident with Adebayo. During a January 2024 game in Miami, Ball grabbed Adebayo’s leg while the Heat player was running downcourt. Adebayo stumbled but remained upright.
