Heat's Erik Spoelstra calls LaMelo Ball's play 'stupid' after Bam Adebayo injured in play-in loss

The NBA playoffs are here, and Nick Wright has his player hierarchy set, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Victor Wembanyama.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra believed Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball should have been ejected after yanking on star center Bam Adebayo’s foot, causing an injury to his lower back.

The incident occurred in the second quarter of their Play-In Tournament game on Tuesday night, where Adebayo had to sit out the rest of the game after crashing hard to the floor following Ball’s action.

Charlotte ended up winning the game in overtime, 127-126. As a result, the Heat missed the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.

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Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat watches the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on April 14, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Spoelstra wasn’t trying to make any excuses after the game regarding Adebayo’s absence and the loss. But he thought Ball’s actions deserved harsh consequences.

"I didn’t see it, but I don’t think it’s cute," Spoelstra said, via ESPN. "I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player was out.

"I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That’s a shame."

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Spoelstra added that Ball "should be penalized" for what he did.

"I don’t think that belongs in the game – tripping guys, shenanigans," he said.

Ball ended up being the hero for Charlotte in the end, too, hitting a clutch layup