The Charlotte Hornets' dramatic 127-126 overtime victory in Tuesday's play-in game was a classic, but the aftermath has been dominated by a controversial moment involving star guard LaMelo Ball.

The NBA announced Wednesday that Ball has been fined $35,000 for "unnecessary and reckless contact" with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo. In a significant post-game review, the league upgraded the incident to a Flagrant Foul 2, citing a "significant injury risk," despite no foul being called during the intense contest.

The pivotal play happened in the second quarter. After a missed shot, Ball, on the floor, swiped at the leg of Adebayo, who had secured the rebound. The contact sent Adebayo crashing to the court, where he remained while play continued. The Heat star suffered a lower back injury on the play and did not return, a devastating blow that left Miami without their defensive anchor for the remainder of the game.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra was vocal in his criticism after the final buzzer, labeling the play "dangerous" and arguing that an ejection would have been warranted. The Heat's frustration was palpable, feeling the non-call directly altered their postseason fate.

Despite the controversy, Ball delivered when it mattered most, scoring the game-winning layup with just 4.7 seconds left in overtime to seal Charlotte's thrilling advance. However, the league also tacked on an additional $25,000 fine for Ball's use of profane language during a postgame television interview.

As the Hornets turn their focus to a win-or-go-home matchup, the conversation around player safety and in-game officiating continues, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a playoff-caliber thriller.