MIAMI — In Miami, the NBA has decided that lamelo ball to grab bomb adebayo It was an ejection-worthy flagrant foul that didn’t garner much reaction.
In Charlotte, relief was found in the fact that the verdict did not include a suspension.
ball will be played on friday Hornets in their play-in elimination game orlando – The reality that Charlotte coach Charles Lee hoped for, and something like that miami Coach Erik Spoelstra had no problem with it.
“I didn’t think he needed to be punished any more to advance. I didn’t think it would make sense,” Spoelstra said Thursday, when the Heat held their season-ending meetings – two days after being eliminated from postseason contention. 127-126 defeat In Charlotte, a game that Adebayo did not play much of after being injured while playing, the ball caught his ankle as he was falling.
Spoelstra said, “I don’t think he’s a dirty player. I just think, in that moment, all things could be true.” “It was a dirty play and a dangerous play. It should have been caught right then and there. But it wasn’t and then, you know, you move on.”
The league said Ball made “unnecessary and reckless contact” with Adebayo. Ball was fined $35,000 for the foul, as well as $25,000 for using profane language in a post-game interview on the court.
The flagrant foul in Tuesday’s game, if called in real time as a Category 2 foul, would have given Miami two free throws and possession of the ball — as well as fouling the ball out.
NBA investigation after such plays is standard; Referee Zack Zerba told a pool reporter Tuesday night that the league would consider the game going forward. The news of the league came late on Wednesday night and only then did Lee exhale.
“I think the league gave us something they felt was fair,” Lee said Thursday in Charlotte before the team’s flight to Orlando. “And we’re glad we’re still going to take him to the next game. I know it was never his intention to try to hurt anyone on the court. But I’m glad everything is worked out now.”
According to NBA rules, the Heat could not challenge the decision of the game because no foul was called. The game continued, with no opportunity for a replay review. Adebayo was diagnosed with a lower back injury as a result of the fall.
This is at least the second time Ball has been involved in such a play with Adebayo. During a game in Miami in January 2024, the ball hit Adebayo’s leg as the Heat star was running to the other end of the court. Adebayo staggered but did not fall.
