Bam Adebayo injured after LaMelo Ball trip in NBA Play-In game
The Miami Heat are fighting for their NBA Playoff lives in the first game of the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, star big man Bam Adebayo took a tumble in the first half that sent him to the locker room. Adebayo was under the hoop when he made contact with Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball , which knocked him off balance.
Ball then grabbed Adebayo’s foot, which sent him tumbling to the ground. Immediately, Adebayo was in pain, and he eventually walked off the court in the win-or-go-home game. MORE: 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament TV schedule, full list of games & tip times Adebayo was diagnosed with a lower-back injury, and he is listed as questionable to return.
Ball did not receive a foul on the play. Lamelo Ball INJURED Bam after taking out his legs underneath him 😳 pic. twitter.
com/vAQa8mKymn — BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) April 15, 2026 At the time of his injury, Adebayo had netted 6 points while recording three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. He played just 11 minutes in the first half. The Heat were able to recover.
Miami outscored Charlotte, 30-26, in the second quarter, and entered halftime with a slight 54-52 lead. — Watch NBA Play-In Tournament on Prime Video — It’s a crucial game for both teams, with the winner officially eliminated from the postseason. The winner, meanwhile, will return to the court on Friday, April 17, to face the loser of Wednesday night’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.