The NBA may not be done here. Not even close.
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According to league insider Chris Haynes, the league is expected to review the sequence involving LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo that changed the tone of Tuesday's play-in game.
"Sources: NBA to review Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball for taking out ankle of Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo in 2nd Q, resulting in hard spill and back injury that cost him rest of crucial do-or-die play-in contest," Haynes reported. "Ruling expected before Hornets' final play-in bout on Friday."
That moment stuck.
Adebayo hit the floor hard in the second quarter after Ball appeared to grab at his leg while going down. There was no whistle, no review and no return for Miami's All-Star big man, who was ruled out with a lower back injury.
Is this a dirty play by LaMelo? pic.twitter.com/tPebBPDLDC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2026
Afterward, Heat caoch Erik Spoelstra didn't dance around it.
"He should have been thrown out of the game for that," Spoelstra said. "There is no place in the game for that."
"I don't think it's cute, and I don't think it's funny," he added. "I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play."
Ball, who finished with 30 points and buried the game-winner, said there was no intent behind it.
"I apologize on that one," he said. "I got hit in the head and didn't really know where I was... I'm going to check on him."
Officials never went back to it during the game. No call meant no trigger for review.
Now the league has time. And from the sound of it, the league plans to use it.
