Heat's Tyler Herro criticizes LaMelo Ball for tripping Bam Adebayo

Herro says Ball's play was 'not the right play' after Adebayo suffered a back injury that forced him to miss the rest of the game.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:24am

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant shades of red, blue, and teal, capturing the intensity and physicality of a basketball game through an abstract, multi-angled perspective.A cubist interpretation of the heated rivalry between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets, with the controversial play between LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo at the center of the fragmented composition.Today in Miami

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro criticized Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball for a play in which Ball allegedly tripped up Heat center Bam Adebayo, forcing Adebayo to miss the majority of the 9/10 play-in tournament game with a back injury. Herro said he's never seen the durable Adebayo limp off the court like that before, indicating the severity of the injury.

Why it matters

The controversial play proved pivotal, as the Hornets went on to win the game 127-126 and eliminate the Heat from playoff contention. The Heat were understandably upset about the incident, with head coach Erik Spoelstra already voicing his displeasure and Tyler Herro now joining in the criticism of Ball's actions.

The details

In the game, LaMelo Ball allegedly tripped up Bam Adebayo, causing the Heat center to suffer a back injury that forced him to miss the majority of the contest. Adebayo is known as one of the most durable players in the NBA, so the fact that he 'could barely walk to the back' after the incident was very telling of the severity of the injury, according to Herro.

  • The incident occurred during the 9/10 play-in tournament game on April 15, 2026.

The players

Tyler Herro

A guard for the Miami Heat who has played with Bam Adebayo since 2019.

LaMelo Ball

A guard for the Charlotte Hornets who was involved in the controversial play that injured Bam Adebayo.

Bam Adebayo

The starting center for the Miami Heat who suffered a back injury after being allegedly tripped by LaMelo Ball.

Erik Spoelstra

The head coach of the Miami Heat who previously voiced his displeasure over the incident involving LaMelo Ball and Bam Adebayo.

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What they’re saying

“It was crazy. I've played with Bam for a long time and I usually never really see him limp like that. He's usually a guy that stays in, that tells you how much pain he's in. He can barely walk to the back and I saw the video he fell really hard. I mean we all know. It was not the right play.”

— Tyler Herro, Miami Heat Guard

The takeaway

This incident highlights the heated rivalry between the Heat and Hornets, as well as the importance of player safety in the NBA. The Heat were understandably upset about the play that potentially cost them a playoff berth, and Tyler Herro's comments echo the team's frustration over what they perceived as a dangerous and unnecessary action by LaMelo Ball.