Spoelstra says Hornets’ Ball should have been ejected before ending Miami Heat’s season

• Ball appeared to trip Miami center during Tuesday’s game

• Hornets went on to win play-in game in overtime

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for tripping Bam Adebayo, leading to an injury that knocked the https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/11/bam-adebayo-83-points-miami-heat-washington-wizards-nba">Heat’s star center out of Tuesday night’s 127-126 play-in tournament loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Ball fell to the floor after missing a shot on a drive to the basket early in the second quarter, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C29Pudky5AA">appeared to reach out and grab Adebayo’s left leg, causing the center to fall on his back.

Ball was not called for a foul, and Adebayo remained on the floor as play continued.

He eventually walked to the locker room under his own power but did not return.