LaMelo Ball Trips Bam Adebayo, Prompting NBA Investigation and Spoelstra Criticism
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LaMelo Ball Trips Bam Adebayo, Prompting NBA Investigation and Spoelstra Criticism

15 April, 2026.Sports.20 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Ball tripped Bam Adebayo, causing a lower back injury in the play-in game.
  • The NBA is investigating the incident involving Ball's trip.
  • Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Ball should have been ejected.

Ball's Trip on Adebayo

LaMelo Ball's trip of Bam Adebayo has become a focal point of controversy and investigation.

The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Ball fell and appeared to swipe at Adebayo's foot, causing the Heat center to fall and suffer a lower back injury.

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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Ball should have been thrown out of the game for that and called it a dangerous play.

The NBA is investigating the play, with sources telling ESPN that the league has contacted both teams and will interview Ball.

The Hornets won the game 127-126 in overtime, with Ball scoring the winning basket.

Divergent Death Toll Figures

Reuters and the Bangladeshi government reported at least 28 workers killed.

The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian raised the count to 33.

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AP NewsAP News

Al Jazeera correspondents counted at least 41.

Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue crews found most of the victims near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors.

Survivors and the Strike Call

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Federation president Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Supply Chain Under Scrutiny

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands.

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

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Rahman Textile owner Faisal Rahman issued a statement claiming the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust told the Guardian that the audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut to prevent worker theft.

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