Heat Stung by Adebayo Injury Scare (vid)

The Miami Heat suffered a significant blow during their play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets, as Bam Adebayo exited with an injury and did not return to the contest.

The incident occurred in the second quarter when LaMelo Ball drove to the basket and ended up on the floor after a missed attempt. He then appeared to strike Adebayo's leg with his hand, causing the Heat center to lose his balance and fall awkwardly backward, landing hard on his lower back.

Adebayo remained on the court for an extended period, clearly in considerable pain, while play continued for a few seconds before the sequence was definitively halted.

After intervention from the medical staff, he managed to get up and walk off to the locker room, but did not return to the game. Notably, no foul was called on Ball during the play, nor was there an opportunity for video review, as the game had not been immediately stopped.

Adebayo's absence proved pivotal for the Heat, who lost one of their most crucial players in one of the season's most critical games. It's worth remembering that the American center had delivered impressive performances recently, even reaching an 83-point outing in a game last month.