Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been rampantly discussed for his actions during a play in the first half of last night’s win over the Miami Heat.
Ball, 24, appeared to stick his hand out and grab Bam Adebayo’s foot as the Heat star’s momentum began pulling him down on his backside.
While attempting to corral a rebound, Adebayo landed harshly and remained down as play continued. When the Heat regained possession, they were forced to use a timeout to provide Adebayo medical attention.
After spending some time lying on the floor, Adebayo was helped up. Before leaving the court, the 28-year-old Miami star directed some frustration at the officials, believing there should have been a call made during the play that he injured his back.
Adebayo was first designated as questionable to return to the game before later being ruled out.
The Hornets eked by a Abebayo-less Heat team, which put up a valiant effort in arguably its best player’s absence. Both teams traded clutch moments down the stretch, but it was ultimately Ball’s timely drive to the basket that won Charlotte the game on its home floor.
Could LaMelo Ball Face Suspension? Analyst Weighs in
The moment where Ball contacted Adebayo’s foot as he went to the ground has been hotly debated ever since the Hornets won last night.
Before Adebayo hit the deck, Ball drove to the basket and had his shot blocked by Miami’s Simone Fontecchico as he fell to the ground. Perhaps frustrated that no foul was called, Ball reacted by sticking his hand out and appeared to grab Adebayo’s foot.
Ball has faced plenty of fallout for that play. Heat head coach Erik Spoelestra was irate postgame when asked about the controversial moment, saying Ball should have been “thrown out of the game.”
With the Hornets pulling out the victory, they’ll move on to face the loser of tonight’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic on Friday night.
While the NBA has not issued any punishment for Ball, discussion has emerged over a possible suspension for Friday’s game following the incident involving Adebayo.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst touched on the matter in today’s episode of “First Take.”
“You’ve got some people wondering if he’s gonna be suspended for Friday’s game, which will be when the Hornets can play to get the No. 8 seed,” Windhorst said.
“I do not think he will be suspended.”
Although Windhorst does not expect Ball to be suspended, he suggested the league could still review the play and potentially assess a retrospective flagrant foul.
“However, I expect the league to retroactively assess a flagrant,” Windhorst expressed, “which I understand will not make the Heat fans any happier.”
Charlotte Star Insists it Was Nothing Intentional
Ball began hearing the backlash after the game for the incident involving Adebayo. He apologized and claimed he wasn’t aware of what happened until later.
“I apologize on that one,” said Ball, who recorded 30 points and 10 assists in the win. “I got hit in the head, didn’t really know where I was, but I’mma check on him and see if he’s okay and everything.”
Whether Ball receives a penalty of any sort for the play on Adebayo remains to be seen. Of course, a suspension would be the worst-case scenario for the 24-year-old guard and the Hornets.
Missing Ball in Friday’s must-win game would be a serious blow to a Charlotte team hoping to achieve a playoff berth after an unbelievable surge in the second half of the season.
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