Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was fuming over the injury to his star player, Bam Adebayo, in the second quarter of the team’s play-in loss to the Hornets Tuesday night.
Adebayo was tripped by LaMelo Ball just over a minute into the second quarter and did not return due to a lower back injury after falling hard to the court.
Ball fell after driving to the basket and grabbed Adebayo’s left ankle.
Spoelstra felt Ball should’ve been ejected from the game and put the onus on the referees, naming Curtis Blair and Zach Zarba, specifically.
“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 said after the game. “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. [Ball] should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys, shenanigans. Curtis was there. It’s his responsibility to see that, and if it’s not his responsibility then Zach’s got to see it. Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that. I don’t know [Ball] from anyone. There’s no place in the game for that.”
The NBA is reviewing the incident, insider Chris Haynes reported Wednesday, and a decision on potential discipline is expected before the Hornets’ next game on Friday.
“I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head, didn’t really know where I was, but I’mma check on him and see if he’s okay and everything,” Ball said after the game.
Ball ended up making the game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, giving ninth-seeded Charlotte a 127-126 win at home.
Charlotte will visit the loser of Wednesday’s 76ers vs. Magic game with the final playoff spot in the East on the line, while Miami’s season is over.
Ball’s poor shooting kept the Heat in the game. The 24-year-old shot 12-for-31 and was 2-for-16 from 3-point range. He finished with 30 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.
Adebayo had six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes.
