Adebayo claims LaMelo Ball never apologized! Spoelstra revisits dangerous play: No need for additional punishment

On April 17th, in Miami, the NBA's ruling that LaMelo Ball's ("Melo") pull on Bam Adebayo was a Flagrant 2 foul warranting immediate ejection did not cause much stir. In Charlotte, the league's decision not to impose an additional suspension on Ball allowed the team to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ball will play for the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday in their away game against the Orlando Magic, a crucial play-in game for the Hornets' elimination fate. This outcome is exactly what Hornets head coach Charles Lee hoped for, and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also expressed no objection.

The Heat, having just lost 126-127 to the Hornets away and missed the playoffs, held their season wrap-up meeting today. Spoelstra stated at the meeting: "I don't think there's a need for any further additional punishment against him; that wouldn't be reasonable." In that key matchup, Adebayo was injured when Ball pulled his ankle during a fall, leading to his early and prolonged exit from the game.

"I don't think he's a dirty player. It was just a moment where circumstances converged," Spoelstra said. "That action was indeed unsightly and dangerous, and should have been called on the spot. But the referees didn't make the call then, and the matter is now past."

The league office noted that Ball made unnecessary and reckless physical contact with Adebayo. Ultimately, Ball was fined $35,000 for this flagrant foul. Additionally, he was fined another $25,000 for using profanity during a post-game interview on the court.

Adebayo revealed today that he has not received an apology from Ball.

"He never apologized to me," Adebayo stated. "I'm putting it out there clearly: sooner or later we'll meet again, and I'll have a direct conversation with him then."

If this foul during Wednesday's game had been called as a Flagrant 2 on the spot, the Heat would have received two free throws and retained possession, while Ball would have been ejected immediately.

The NBA's post-game review of such dangerous plays is standard procedure. The head referee, Zach Zarba, had informed traveling reporters on Wednesday that the league would further review that sequence. The league announced the penalty decision on Thursday, allowing Hornets coach Lee to finally relax.

Before the Hornets team departed for Orlando, Lee spoke to reporters in Charlotte: "I believe the league issued what they considered a fair outcome. I'm glad Ball can play in the next crucial game. I know he never intends to harm opponents on the court, and fortunately, everything is settled now."

According to NBA rules, since no foul was called on that play during the game, the Heat had no right to appeal or challenge the call. The game continued normally, thus losing the opportunity for a video review. Examination revealed that Adebayo's fall resulted in a lower back contusion.

This is at least the second similar physical altercation between Ball and Adebayo. In a January 2024 game when the Heat hosted the Hornets, Ball suddenly pulled Adebayo's leg during a fast break, nearly causing Adebayo to fall, though he fortunately did not tumble.