Hornets’ LaMelo Ball fined $60K, avoids suspension

On the bright side for Ball and the Hornets, there’s no suspension. So he can play in Friday’s win-or-go-home game against either Philadelphia or Orlando.

Adebayo went down hard in the second quarter after Ball appeared to grab his leg while falling to the floor. No foul was called, and Miami’s All-Star big man did not return due to a lower back injury.

Afterward, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t hold back.

“He should have been thrown out of the game for that,” Spoelstra said. “There is no place in the game for that.”

“I don’t think it’s cute, and I don’t think it’s funny,” he added. “I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play.”

Ball, who finished with 30 points and hit the game-winner in the Hornets’ overtime win, said the contact wasn’t intentional.

“I apologize on that one,” Ball said. “I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was… I’m going to check on him.”