LaMelo Ball wound up as the hero for the Charlotte Hornets in their play-in victory over the Heat on Tuesday, but Miami coach Erik Spoelstra believes Ball should have been ejected from the game in the first half.
Ball tripped Heat star Bam Adebayo early in the second quarter, pulling on his left ankle, and Adebayo fell hard to the floor under the basket. Adebayo sustained a back injury that kept him out for the remainder of host Charlotte’s 127-126 overtime victory.
With Adebayo still lying at the endline, play continued with baskets at both ends. Eventually the action was stopped with the Hornets ahead 30-26 with 10:58 left in the period. Adebayo was able to stand up and walk slowly to the locker room for evaluation.
Spoelstra said postgame, “I didn’t see it (when it happened), but 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. 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. I don’t think that belongs in the game — tripping guys, shenanigans.”
Referee Zach Zarba told a pool reporter postgame that the play could not have been reviewed because action continued after the incident.
Ball said of the play, “I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head (on the preceding action) and didn’t really know where I was. But I’m going to check on him, see if he’s OK and everything.”
Ball wound up with 30 points, and he made a layup with 4.7 seconds left in OT for the game-winning points.
Adebayo had six points and three rebounds before exiting. The nine-year veteran averaged a double-double during the regular season, putting up 20.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest, the latter ranking eighth in the NBA.
