The Miami Heat ruled out Bam Adebayo for the second half of Tuesday’s play-in defeat against the Charlotte Hornets after the star center hurt his lower back in the second quarter following a collision with LaMelo Ball.
Adebayo lost his balance along the baseline when Ball appeared to pull his planted left foot, causing the Heat big man to crash hard onto his backside.
After heading to the locker room with Miami’s trainers, Adebayo was initially considered questionable to return before being ruled out in the second half.
“I didn’t see it, but I don’t think it’s cute; I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters, per The Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds. “It’s a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player is out, but I’m not making any excuses.”
Referees couldn’t review the incident because no foul was called on the play.
“(Ball) should have been thrown out of the game for that,” Spoelstra added.
Adebayo recorded six points and three rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting in 11 minutes before exiting.
“I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was, but I’m going to check on him, see if he’s OK,” Ball told reporters, according to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer.
The Hornets won a thrilling overtime affair 127-126 when Miles Bridges blocked Heat guard Davion Mitchell at the buzzer following Ball’s clutch layup. Charlotte will now play the loser of Wednesday’s play-in meeting between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers with a playoff spot on the line.
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