The NBA retroactively assessed Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball a flagrant foul penalty 2 and fined him $35,000 for a play that injured Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game. Ball also received a $25,000 fine for using profanity in his postgame interview. No suspension was issued, and Ball is set to play Friday against the Orlando Magic.
In the second quarter of the Hornets' 127-126 overtime victory over the Heat, Ball had his shot blocked, fell to the floor, and then yanked Adebayo's leg in frustration. The action sent Adebayo down awkwardly with a back injury, forcing him to leave the game without returning. NBA executive vice president James Jones called the contact 'unnecessary and reckless,' noting it 'created significant injury risk.' Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described the play as 'stupid' and said Ball 'should've been thrown out of the game.' The flagrant 2 designation indicates the league views it as ejection-worthy conduct. Ball starred in the win, recording a game-high 30 points on 12-for-31 shooting and 10 assists in 40 minutes. After the game, he apologized, saying he would check on Adebayo and that he 'didn't really know where I was' after being hit in the head. The penalty is stricter than one issued to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid two years ago, when he received only a flagrant 1 for tripping New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. Ball faces the Magic on Friday with the Eastern Conference's No. 8 playoff seed at stake.
