What Miami Heat fans didn't want to see happen in Tuesday night's win-or-go-home play-in game against the Hornets was for Bam Adebayo to head back to the locker room early in the second quarter after taking a hard fall.
LaMelo Ball went up for a fadeaway that Simone Fontecchio blocked into Adebayo's hands, and he caught it while trying to stay in bounds, balancing on one foot. Ball, who went down to the floor, grabbed Bam's left foot, the one he was balancing on, and that led to Adebayo taking a hard fall.
The play where Bam Adebayo got taken out. LaMelo Ball was complaining to the referees afterward. pic.twitter.com/xbKAhslFHB
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 15, 2026
For whatever reason, there was no foul called, although it happened right in front of an official.
Adebayo stayed down on the baseline in pain, holding his lower back, as the Heat took the ball to the other end for a Pelle Larsson layup. The Hornets came back down the floor for a dunk from LaMelo, while Adebayo was still down. Erik Spolestra then called a timeout.
Bam got up gingerly with assistance and made sure to let the officials hear it as he walked off the court and back toward the locker room.
Adebayo had six points, three rebounds, one assists, and one steal in 11 minutes before he got hurt.
Bam Adebayo questionable to return with back injury
Minutes later, Marc Stein reported that Adebayo is questionable to return with a lower back injury.
The Heat say Bam Adebayo left tonight’s game in Charlotte with a lower back injury and his return is questionable.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 15, 2026
Miami was without Adebayo for the remainder of the second quarter, but still went into the half with a 54-52 lead over Charlotte.
He didn't return for the start of the third quarter. Cassidy Hubbarth asked Tyler Herro what the Heat needed to do with Bam out, and the guard said to lean on the experience of other guys (like himself).
Miami stayed in the game to finish the second quarter without Bam, but hopefully, he'll be able to return. If not, and the Heat win, he'll have two full days before they face the loser of the No. 7/8 game (Orlando or Philadelphia).
UPDATE: Marc Stein reported that Adebayo is OUT for the remainder of the game. There have been no additional updates about the extent of his injury.
The Heat now say Bam Adebayo has been ruled out for the remainder of the game. https://t.co/UFI4wB4wnz
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 15, 2026
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