CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $35,000 for making unnecessary and reckless contact with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during Tuesday's play-in game in Charlotte, North Carolina. The league also fined Ball $25,000 for using profane language during a television interview after the game.

The trip occurred early in the second quarter of the Eastern Conference No. 9 vs. No. 10 seed play-in game after Ball had a shot blocked. Ball then swiped at Adebayo's foot, sending the Heat center to the floor without a whistle from officials. The NBA assessed Ball a flagrant foul 2 after reviewing the play, although no foul was called during the game.

"The play wasn't whistled in real time. Because there was no whistle on the play, the window to review the play was closed," official Zach Zarba said. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Ball should have been ejected for the trip and that officials missed the play.

"I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play," Spoelstra said.

Adebayo suffered a lower back injury during the game and did not return, finishing with 11 minutes played. In a January 14, 2024, regular-season game, Ball appeared to intentionally reach for Adebayo's leg as Adebayo ran up the court.

"I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head [on the play] and didn't really know where I was. But I'm going to check on him, see if he's OK and everything," Ball said.

The Heat lost the play-in game 127-126 in overtime, ending their season. Ball scored the winning basket on a layup with 4.7 seconds remaining. The Heat had entered the game with a 3-1 edge over Charlotte in the regular-season series. Since 2021, the Heat have appeared in seven play-in games, the most in the NBA, and in 2023 became the first team to reach the NBA Finals via the play-in tournament.

The Hornets, who rebounded from a 9-20 start to finish 35-18, are seeking their first playoff berth since 2016. Charlotte set an NBA record this season with an average win margin of 18.2 points, and Ball and teammate Kon Knueppel ranked first and second in three-pointers made during the season. The Hornets will play the Orlando Magic on Friday, with the winner securing the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.