LaMelo Ball fined $35,000, assessed flagrant foul after injuring Bam Adebayo

The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $35,000 for making “unnecessary and reckless contact” that “created a significant injury risk” to Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo in Tuesday’s Play-In Tournament game, the league announced Wednesday. Ball was also assessed a flagrant foul for the play, which resulted in an injury to Adebayo that sidelined him for the rest of the game.The incident occurred after Ball was bumped to the floor following his shot being blocked in the opening minute of the second quarter. As he lay on the ground, Adebayo saved the ball from going out of bounds by jumping in the air and tossing it to Heat forward Pelle Larsson before landing out of bounds. After Adebayo landed near Ball, the Hornets star appeared to grab for one of Adebayo’s legs, and the Heat star fell hard to the floor on his lower back. Should LaMelo Ball have been called for a flagrant foul for this play on Bam Adebayo? pic.twitter.com/5zH7DCfZBH — The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) April 15, 2026The injury immediately sidelined Adebayo, and Miami’s best player did not return for the final two quarters and overtime. Tuesday’s loss ended Miami’s season.Advertisement