LaMelo Ball Intentionally Tripping Bam Adebayo in Play-In Irks Basketball Fans – “That’s Half a Season For Draymond”

Bam Adebayo and his Heat had to overcome the resurgent Charlotte Hornets led by LaMelo Ball to advance in the play-in tournament.

LaMelo Ball Intentionally Tripping Bam Adebayo in Play-In Irks Basketball Fans – “That’s Half a Season For Draymond”

Bam Adebayo and LaMelo Ball (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • LaMelo Ball faced backlash for intentionally tripping Bam Adebayo during the NBA Play-in game.
  • Fans criticized Ball's actions, comparing them to those of notorious player Draymond Green.
  • Bam Adebayo suffered a back injury from the fall and did not return to the game.

The 2026 NBA Play-in games started with LaMelo Ball and his Charlotte Hornets welcoming Bam Adebayo and his Miami Heat to Spectrum Center.

Both teams have had quite different experiences this season, with the Heat having a good early run, but then being hit with inconsistency that saw them slide down from a playoff spot into the play-in.

On the other hand, the Hornets started slowly, with the team struggling to figure out what makes them tick. Ball was one of those who was struggling to find a rhythm.

There was a time when he was benched, which led many to speculate that he was on his way out. However, that did not happen, and the point guard helped the team surge to become one of the favorites to make the play-in.

Despite some instances of throwing hands, the Hornets made it clear that they are not the beleaguered franchise of the past. Instead, they were ready to fight in whatever way needed to win games.

In their game against the Heat, it seems LaMelo Ball took that ‘fight whatever way needed’ mantra to heart. Early in the second quarter, the 24-year-old tried to lay up the ball, only to be swatted away by Simone Fontecchio.

As he fell to the floor, he noticed that Bam Adebayo caught the ball and was about to pass it to his Italian teammate. At that instance, Ball yanked at the Heat center’s left ankle, causing him to fall hard on his back.

The league’s second-highest points in a game scorer was visibly irked and tried to jaw with the Hornets guard, as he felt it was a dirty move.

Fans tear into LaMelo Ball after dirty move on Bam Adebayo

Usually, fans are accustomed to seeing Draymond Green do such things while on the court. When they saw LaMelo Ball do it, fans were left fuming.

They felt that it was unnecessary for him to tug at Bam Adebayo’s ankle in that manner. Getting blocked on the previous shot attempt may have frustrated him into doing so, but the action has no justification. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Had this happened to one of the other dirty players, it may not have mattered to fans as much as it did in this instance. Intentionally trying to harm a much-respected Bam Adebayo may have infuriated fans that much more. After all, that was not a basketball move from LaMelo Ball.

Bam Adebayo was done for the night after LaMelo Ball’s play

After Bam Adebayo tried to get some words in LaMelo Ball’s direction, he walked on his own strength to the medical room. He needed to be checked after taking a hard fall.

Bam Adebayo did not return to the game
Bam Adebayo did not return to the game (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

A while later, veteran NBA Insider Marc Stein confirmed that the three-time All-Star center suffered a back injury and was not going to return to the game.

The game was neck and neck at that point, with either team having the chance to win the battle and move on to play in the next game that will decide the No. 8 seed.

If the Hornets make it that far, it will set up a tantalizing rematch against the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons. The last time the two met, Ball was trolling them, and the two sides almost started another scuffle.

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