LaMelo Ball Under NBA Review After Bam Adebayo Injury

Merlin sees the NBA opening a review into the collision between LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo in the Hornets’ play-in win that left Adebayo with a back injury and Miami knocked out. On the play Ball fell and appeared to grab at Adebayo’s ankles; there was no foul called. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called it "dangerous" and said Ball "should've been thrown out of the game," while Ball apologized, saying he "got hit in the head." Merlin notes the league often acts swiftly on plays that risk player safety, so a fine or suspension before Friday is likely. The decision will affect Hornets momentum and deepen questions about the Heat after their first playoff miss since 2018-19. The ruling could also nudge the NBA to tighten enforcement on similar contact going forward.