The NBA is probing a controversial trip by LaMelo Ball that left Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo with a lower‑back injury in the 127‑126 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets. Ball’s contact, which went unwhistled, forced Adebayo to the floor early in the second quarter and halted his 11‑minute outing during the play‑in game night.

League officials have already contacted both franchises and will interview Ball, sources say. The incident could be upgraded to a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2, but a suspension seems unlikely. The Hornets will face the loser of the Philadelphia‑Orlando play‑in on Friday, while Adebayo’s return remains uncertain after the injury in the second quarter the incident.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra slammed the play, saying Ball should have been ejected and labeling it a “stupid” and “dangerous” act that cost the team their playoff spot. Ball apologized twice, noting he was hit in the head, but the league’s review window closed because the whistle never sounded during the second quarter play moment.

Officials will decide whether the play merits a flagrant penalty after reviewing video, but the NBA’s own review panel says the window to call the foul closed because the game continued without a whistle. The incident adds pressure on the Heat to defend a key player and could influence the league’s approach to late‑game infractions.