The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $35,000 and assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 on Wednesday, April 15, for the play that injured Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo in the teams’ April 14 Play-In Tournament game.
Ball seemingly tripped Adebayo — the league called it “unnecessary and reckless contact” — during the second quarter of Tuesday night’s game, causing Adebayo to fall and creating what the league called “a significant injury risk.”
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Ball will not face a suspension, however.
“I apologize on that one,” Ball told reporters after the game. “I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was, but I’m going to check in on him to see if he’s OK and everything.”
More: Bam Adebayo injury after LaMelo Ball tie-up has Erik Spoelstra fuming
Adebayo suffered a lower back injury as a result of the fall and did not return to the game, which the Hornets won 127-126 in overtime. The foul took place with 11:13 left in the second quarter of the game.
Ball was fined an additional $25,000 for his use of “profane language” during a postgame television interview.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.
See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.
Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.
See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.
Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets blocks a shot from Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers slam dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a three-point shot over Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after defeating the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball ahead of Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball while guarded by Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a shot under pressure from Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat late in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball in the first half while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers lays up a shot ahead of Oso Ighodaro #11 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket while guarded by Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When do the Charlotte Hornets play next?
LaMelo Ball and the Hornets will play at the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 17. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LaMelo Ball punished by NBA for play that injured Bam Adebayo
