Overview
- Adebayo left Tuesday’s Play-In game in the second quarter with a lower-back injury, walked to the locker room with team physician Harlan Selesnick, and was later ruled out.
- Replay showed LaMelo Ball, who had fallen on the drive, appearing to swipe or grab Adebayo’s leg before the big man landed hard on his tailbone, and no foul was called.
- Prime Video’s broadcast relayed that the play was not reviewable because possession had changed, a rule that limits in-game options to assess flagrant contact after such sequences.
- Miami lost 127-126 in overtime in Charlotte and Adebayo did not return, ending the Heat’s season after he logged 11 first-half minutes with six points and three rebounds.
- Fans and some media figures labeled Ball’s action a dirty play, Udonis Haslem said a foul should have been called, the NBA had not announced any review or punishment, and Adebayo’s longer-term status was not disclosed as of publication.