NBA Rules Ball's Foul on Adebayo Flagrant, Fines $60,000

The NBA ruled Wednesday that Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball committed an uncalled flagrant foul during Tuesday night's play-in tournament game against the Miami Heat, an infraction that warranted his ejection and may have altered the outcome of Miami's 127-126 overtime loss.

The incident occurred early in the second quarter at Miami's Kaseya Center, when Ball reached out and tugged Adebayo's ankle as the Heat center ran down the court. The contact caused Adebayo to suffer a back injury, forcing him to leave the game and not return. Adebayo, Miami's top player and a three-time All-Star, had been contributing significantly before the injury, and his absence left the Heat shorthanded for the remainder of the contest.

In a statement, the league described Ball's action as unnecessary and reckless contact, classifying it as a flagrant foul penalty two. Had officials called it in real time, Miami would have received two free throws and possession of the ball, and Ball would have been ejected. Instead, play continued without interruption, leading to a fast break for Charlotte. The Hornets rallied to force overtime, where Ball scored the decisive layup to secure the victory and end...