LaMelo Ball was the hero for the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, scoring the game-winning bucket in a 127-126 overtime victory over the Miami Heat. However, an argument can be made that he should've never been on the court for that moment.
During the second quarter of this NBA play-in game, Ball pulled at Heat star Bam Adebayo's left foot as he was trying to grab a rebound. The All-Star center suffered a back injury that forced him to miss the rest of the game.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra didn't hold back when asked about Adebayo's injury. He said Ball should've been penalized for tripping his opponent.
"I didn't see it [when it happened], but I don't think it's cute. I don't think it's funny. I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player was out," Spoelstra told reporters. "I'm not making an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That's a shame. You should be penalized for that. I don't think that belongs in the game -- tripping guys, shenanigans."
© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
NBA fans are siding with Spoelstra on this subject. They believe Ball should be suspended for tripping Adebayo.
"Did LaMelo Ball intend to break Bam Adebayo’s back when he pulled his leg out from under him? Arguably no," one fan commented. "However LaMelo Ball absolutely 100% committed an intentional and purposeful tripping foul violation knowing that it would take the man down to the hardwood floor. Suspend him."
"Suspend Lamelo Ball for that dirty trip on Bam. Absolutely insane you let that go," a second fan said.
"If LaMelo isn’t suspended for that dirty play, Adam Silver sets a horrific precedent that it is perfectly acceptable to purposely injure players! DO THE RIGHT THING! SUSPEND LAMELO BALL," another fan wrote.
NBA will review LaMelo's antics.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the league will review this incident involving Adebayo and Ball. A ruling is expected to be announced before Friday's play-in game.
For what it's worth, Ball has already issued a public apology to Adebayo.
"I apologize on that one," Ball said. "I got hit in the head [on the play] and didn't really know where I was. But I'm going to check on him, see if he's OK and everything."
The Hornets need a win on Friday to secure the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If they don't have Ball for that game, it would put head coach Charles Lee at a serious disadvantage.
Do you think the NBA will suspend Ball for Charlotte's biggest game of the season?
