LaMelo Ball Fined $60K for Flagrant Foul on Bam Adebayo, Says He's Relieved Adebayo Is OK

**TL;DR** LaMelo Ball was fined $60,000 by the NBA — $35,000 for a flagrant‑2 foul on Bam Adebayo and $25,000 for profanity in a postgame interview. He said he is relieved Adebayo is okay and tried to apologize, while Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called the play dangerous but said no further punishment is needed.

**Context** The incident occurred early in the second quarter of the Hornets’ overtime play‑in win over Miami on Tuesday, when Ball swiped at Adebayo’s foot as the Heat center tried to stay in bounds after a rebound. The contact sent Adebayo to the floor with a lower‑back injury, and he left the game at 10:58 of the quarter without returning. The NBA reviewed the play and classified it as a flagrant foul 2.

**Key Facts** - The NBA fined Ball $35,000 for the flagrant‑2 foul and an additional $25,000 for using profanity in an on‑court interview after the game. - Ball said he is relieved Adebayo is okay and that he attempted to apologize, waiting by Adebayo’s locker room but was told the center was in the shower. - Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra described the play as dangerous and dirty but stated Ball does not need further punishment beyond the NBA’s ruling. - Spoelstra added that he does not view Ball as a dirty player, noting that in the moment all things can be true. - Had the foul been called in real time as a flagrant 2, Miami would have received two free throws and possession, and Ball would have been ejected. - Ball was not suspended for the Hornets’ Friday play‑in game against the Orlando Magic, where he focused on ending Charlotte’s nine‑year playoff drought, the longest in the NBA. - Video from a January 2024 Heat‑Hornets game showed Ball grabbing Adebayo’s leg while the center was on the floor, but Ball said there is no history of ill intent between them.

**What It Means** The fine underscores the NBA’s emphasis on player safety and conduct, especially in high‑stakes play‑in games. Ball’s focus now shifts to the Magic matchup, where a win would secure the Hornets’ eighth seed and end their longest playoff absence. Watch whether Ball avoids further altercations and how the Hornets perform in the decisive game.