Referee Responds to Controversy! LaMelo Ball's Pull on Adebayo Cannot Be Reviewed, League to Decide on Potential Upgrade

On April 15 Beijing time, Hornets reporter Rod Boone interviewed referee crew chief Zach Zarba after the Heat vs. Hornets game, inquiring about a controversial play during the match. This incident occurred in the second quarter when LaMelo Ball ("Three Ball") pulled Adebayo's ankle, causing Adebayo to suffer a back injury and leave the court. The referees made no call at that moment and did not review the play. Zarba addressed the related topic—

Question: Why wasn't this play reviewed immediately at the time?

Zarba: There was no whistle during this play as the game continued, and it led to a fast break. Because the game wasn't stopped immediately and no foul was called on that play, according to the rules, the review window had already closed.

The game only paused after a change of possession, then went into a timeout. So by the rules, we could no longer review that play.

Question: Did the referee crew review this play afterward in the locker room or at the replay center?

Zarba: Our referee crew looked at it. We review all controversial plays; we rewatched this action during halftime.

Question: If reviewed, would this action be considered worthy of a flagrant foul?

Zarba: That will be determined by the league's operations department. They will make a final decision within the next few days, and any subsequent handling will be carried out by them.

In this game, the Heat, missing Adebayo, had a chance to win in regulation, but Coby White's crucial three-pointer pushed the game into overtime. During overtime, Tyler Herro scored six consecutive points and could have led the Heat to victory, but LaMelo Ball, who had performed poorly earlier, redeemed himself with a key layup for a quasi-game-winning shot to seal the win.