The NBA Play-In Tournament got off to an electric start on Tuesday night. The Charlotte Hornets took down the Miami Heat in a 127-126 thriller. Filled with drama of all kinds, LaMelo Ball has been the major talking point coming out of the game.
Ball had a chaotic game, but his foul on Bam Adebayo has stuck in everyone’s heads. Ball tripped up Adebayo, leading to the Heat star injuring his back and being knocked out for the rest of the game. The play has drawn ire from just about everyone, but Ball has come out to give his side of the story, in a way.
LaMelo Ball says he didn’t know where he was when he tripped Bam Adebayo
Ball was asked about the play in question during the postgame press conference. He says he didn’t realize what was even happening at the time, but he apologized to Adebayo.
I apologize on that one. 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. I got hit in the head, didn’t even know where I was, just playing basketball. But like I said, sorry and I’mma check on him.
That’s little consolation to a Heat team that sorely needed him. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra called Ball’s action a “stupid” and “dangerous” play that should have gotten him ejected from the game. Instead, Adebayo was ruled out and Ball finished out the game, scoring the game-winning basket at the end to help Charlotte reach the next round of the play-in.
While Ball escaped the game without repercussions, the NBA has reportedly launched a review of the foul. The league could take action, which may result in a suspension, but it’s unclear yet if anything will come of it by the time the Hornets’ next game rolls around.
LaMelo Ball had a chaotic game against the Miami Heat
Heat fans, and most basketball fans, have called Ball dirty for the play. It wasn’t the only controversial play Ball made during the game, either. With only 8.7 seconds left in the game and the Hornets up by two points, Ball fouled Tyler Herro on a three-point shot. Herro made all three free throws, but Ball was able to redeem himself on the next possession to win the game.
The Hornets will need Ball to lock in mentally if they are to make any type of run in the playoffs. First, they need to get past either the Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic to secure the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.
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