Bam Adebayo Injured & Heat Eliminated In Play-In Game

The Miami Heat were eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs after losing to the Charlotte Hornets in the play-in tournament.

The Hornets defeated the Heat 127-126 in overtime. This was the first time the Heat had missed the playoffs since the 2019 season.

In the second quarter, Bam Adebayo was tripped by LaMelo Ball. Adebayo suffered a back injury and missed the rest of the game. In the postgame, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra argued that Ball should’ve been ejected for this play. Despite this, Ball told reporters he didn’t mean any harm.

“I apologize on that one,” Ball said, “but imma check on him and see if he’s OK.” 

With just 11 seconds left in regulation, Coby White hit a clutch three for the Hornets to tie the game at 114. Tyler Herro missed a potential game-winner, sending the game to overtime.

Ball got a layup to put the Hornets up by one point with just five seconds remaining in overtime. Davion Mitchell went for a dunk but was blocked by Miles Bridges. 

Bridges was a major contributor for the Hornets with 28 points and nine rebounds. Brandon Miller added on with 23 points.

Despite missing the dunk in overtime, Mitchell was still the Heat’s best player in the game. He scored 28 points and had six assists. Andrew Wiggins also had a strong game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Wiggins was part of the Warriors’ championship team in 2022. 

The Heat played their first full season without Jimmy Butler after he was traded at the 2025 trade deadline. Although Norman Powell stepped up for the Heat and made his first All-Star team, the Heat still failed to make the playoffs. 

The Hornets will play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Orlando Magic game. The winner of that final game will face the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons in the playoffs. 

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Article by Matthew Mendives