Since it’s the NBA postseason, there might be some rough play that takes place between teams. Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball, though, might have taken it a bit too far.
Ball is getting criticized online after fouling the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo during their NBA play-in game on Tuesday night. Some NBA observers believe that Ball’s second-quarter play against Adebayo was rather dirty, as he seemed to intentionally trip the Heat center.
LaMelo Ball’s ‘Dirty’ Play Against Bam Adebayo Draws Plenty of Criticism
One influencer wrote on Tuesday night, “LaMelo Ball just injured Bam Adebayo by grabbing his leg. Bam fell on his back.”
Lamelo Ball just injured Bam Adebayo by grabbing his leg, Bam fell on his back pic.twitter.com/RzrzNPm78Z
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) April 15, 2026
Jeff Goodman, basketball analyst and co-founder of The Field of 68, saw the play and thought, “Shocking he wasn’t ejected after this.”
Shocking he wasn’t ejected after this. https://t.co/LMfa4UK5dd
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 15, 2026
Adebayo was officially diagnosed with a lower-back injury, and he was eventually ruled out due to the injury.
Hoop Central’s X account shared a clip of Adebayo on the court. The account posted, “Bam Adebayo is headed to the locker room after a hard fall. Prayers up.”
Bam Adebayo is headed to the locker room after a hard fall
Prayers up. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KSI1vO7gu6
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 15, 2026
NBA Central posted a longer video clip of Ball fouling Adebayo, leaving him on the court writhing in pain. The account wrote on X, “Is this a dirty play by LaMelo?”
Is this a dirty play by LaMelo? pic.twitter.com/tPebBPDLDC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2026
The HEAT Realm, which covers Miami consistently throughout the season, posted on X, “LAMELO JUST GRABBED BAM’S ANKLE ON PURPOSE … DIRTY MOVE” with an angry face emoji at the end.
After the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra ripped Ball in a scathing rant about the play.
Erik Spoelstra: “I didn’t see it. The bench was telling me. I didn’t want to see it. There’s no place in the game for those kind of shenanigans. It wasn’t needed and he was frustrated. I think he felt like he got fouled so he takes the liberty of yanking somebody. That should be… https://t.co/EkT8WsB1oJ pic.twitter.com/kMqZpwmfje
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 15, 2026
“I don’t think it’s cute. I don’t think it’s funny,” Spoelstra said. “I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play. … He should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys. … Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that.
“I didn’t see it. The bench was telling me. I didn’t want to see it,” he added. “There’s no place in the game for those kind of shenanigans. It wasn’t needed and he was frustrated. I think he felt like he got fouled so he takes the liberty of yanking somebody. That should be penalized.”
Charlotte ultimately defeated Miami, 127-126, in overtime.
Adebayo is in his ninth NBA season, all with the Heat. During the regular season, he played in 73 games, averaging 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 44.2% from the floor and 31.8% from beyond the 3-point arc.
