Erik Spoelstra Says LaMelo Ball Should Have Been Ejected for Tripping Bam Adebayo

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is furious about a play that knocked his star center out of a crucial playoff game. During the second quarter of Tuesday night's game, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball yanked Bam Adebayo's left foot while both players were going for a rebound.

The action sent Adebayo crashing hard to the floor. He suffered a lower back injury and couldn't return for the second half. Miami lost the play-in tournament game 127-126, ending their season.

Spoelstra didn't hold back when talking to reporters after the game. "I don't think it's cute. I don't think it's funny. I think it's a stupid play," he said. The coach argued that Ball should have been ejected from the game for the dangerous move.

Play-in tournament games decide which teams make the actual playoffs. Losing a key player like Adebayo in such an important game can be devastating for a team's chances.