The fallout from LaMelo Ball’s controversial collision with Bam Adebayo continues, but this time, the loudest response came from LaMelo’s father. After the NBA fined the Charlotte Hornets guard and retroactively upgraded the play to a Flagrant 1, LaVar Ball fired back at critics—including Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
The league announced that LaMelo Ball was being fined $35,000 for the second-quarter play that knocked Adebayo out of the April 14 night’s play-in game against Charlotte. The NBA also assessed Ball another $25,000 for using profanity during a live postgame television interview.
While officials did not call a foul during the game, the league later reviewed the sequence and determined that Ball’s contact with Adebayo warranted a retroactive Flagrant 1.
The incident occurred after Adebayo grabbed a rebound near the baseline. As the Miami center came down, Ball—who was on the floor after the previous play—appeared to grab at Adebayo’s ankle. Adebayo landed hard on his lower back and tailbone, left the game in pain, and did not return.
Miami went on to lose 127-126 in overtime after Ball scored the game-winning basket with 4.7 seconds remaining.
Spoelstra was furious after the game, arguing that Ball should have been ejected.
“I don't think it's cute. I don't think it's funny,” Spoelstra said. “I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play. He should be penalized for that.”
The Heat coach also said there was “no place in the game” for tripping another player and criticized the officiating crew for failing to stop play and review the incident.
LaVar Ball responded directly in a video posted from the Big Baller Podcast set, defending his son while attacking Spoelstra and other media personalities who criticized LaMelo.
“And Spoelstra, don’t be making all these excuses,” LaVar said, per Newsweek. “Win the game and call it in, but if somebody’s falling on top of me, you best believe I’m gonna put my hands up and do all kinds of stuff.”
LaVar also rejected the idea that his son intentionally caused the injury, questioning how LaMelo, who was on the floor, could have taken down a player Adebayo’s size.
“He’s 260 pounds,” LaVar said. “How somebody lying on their back with one hand gonna flip over a man like that?”
The elder Ball also went after FS1 host Nick Wright, who had called LaMelo a “clown” after the play. “Don’t ever curl your lips and say a Ball boy’s a clown,” LaVar said.
