Adebayo did not return for the second half, and even though Miami battled back to force overtime, Charlotte prevailed in the extra period to secure the win.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra said the play should have been reviewed, which could have led to a flagrant 2 foul on Ball, but the rules prevented a review from taking place. Ball remained in the game for that sequence before later receiving the league’s flagrant 2 call and a fine.
In the aftermath, Adebayo spoke to reporters from the locker room exit, saying he didn’t have a conversation with Ball and that Ball had tried to reach out. “It didn’t happen,” Adebayo said, adding he would see Ball again and discuss it then.
Ball addressed the situation ahead of the Hornets’ upcoming games, saying he did try to apologize and simply wanted Bam to be okay. He said he attempted to find Adebayo after the game, waiting by his locker, but Bam was unavailable as he was in the shower. “Whenever I see him, I’ll try to talk to him,” Ball explained.
With the league punishment in place for Ball and both teams shifting focus to their remaining goals, the incident remains a talking point as Ball aims to help the Hornets push for the playoffs and Adebayo and the Heat regroup after a season-ending setback in the Play-In. Both sides indicated they want to move forward and resolve the situation privately when they meet again.
