NBA Admits Missed Flagrant Foul Call on LaMelo Ball

League says Hornets star's takedown of Heat's Adebayo warranted ejection

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:29am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in progress, with sharp planes of teal, purple, red, and yellow representing the players and court.The NBA's admission of a missed flagrant foul call on Hornets star LaMelo Ball raises questions about player safety and officiating consistency.Today in Miami

The NBA has acknowledged that Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball should have been ejected from a recent game against the Miami Heat for a flagrant foul on Heat center Bam Adebayo. The league said Ball's actions, which resulted in Adebayo suffering a back injury, met the criteria for a flagrant foul and merited an ejection.

Why it matters

This missed call highlights the ongoing challenges the NBA faces in consistently enforcing its rules around player safety, especially when it comes to high-profile stars. The league's admission could also raise questions about potential discipline for Ball and impact the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

The details

In the game between the Hornets and Heat, Ball reached out and tugged on Adebayo's ankle, causing the Miami big man to fall awkwardly and suffer a back injury that forced him to leave the game. The league has now said this should have been ruled a flagrant foul, which would have resulted in Ball's ejection.

  • The incident occurred during the Hornets-Heat game on April 14, 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets.

Bam Adebayo

The starting center for the Miami Heat.

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What they’re saying

“We made a mistake in not calling a flagrant foul on that play. It was a reckless and dangerous play that should have resulted in LaMelo Ball's ejection.”

— Monty McCutchen, NBA Vice President of Referee Development and Training

What’s next

The NBA is expected to review the incident further and determine if any additional discipline is warranted for LaMelo Ball.

The takeaway

This missed call underscores the ongoing challenges the NBA faces in consistently enforcing its rules around player safety, especially when high-profile stars are involved. The league's admission could impact the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.