Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo incurred a lower back injury in the first half of last night’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA play-in tournament.
Adebayo, 28, felt his momentum slipping backward as he attempted to corral a rebound. The Heat star’s lower leg made contact with Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, culminating in Adebayo falling harshly with impact to his lower back.
Adebayo was initially designated as questionable to return to the game. Later, he was downgraded to out.
GettyMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
The Heat put up a valiant effort without their best player by pushing the Hornets to an overtime period. The high-stakes contest came down to a frantic finish that saw multiple momentum swings.
The win advances Charlotte to a second play-in game Friday against the loser of tonight’s contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
The loss for Miami ends its year. It was the fourth year in a row the franchise was in the play-in. The Heat finished just four games above a .500 record and held the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
Now Miami’s focus turns squarely to Adebayo as they wait to learn the exact severity of the star forward’s injury.
Doctor Reveals Rattling Details on Bam Adebayo’s Injury
The play during which Adebayo sustained the lower back injury will continue to be rampantly debated.
Some are questioning Ball for sticking his hand out and grabbing Adebayo’s foot as he tried to secure a rebound; others are defending Ball, arguing Adebayo’s momentum was already forcing him into falling.
Whether the play was “dirty” or not, Adebayo suffered a potentially serious injury.
Dr. Brian Sutterer took to his YouTube channel to break down Adebayo’s hard fall. Using past cases as a reference, he explained what the injury could be and the possible recovery time.
“As he falls, he lands square, directly on his backside, potentially suffering injuries to the sacrum, the coccyx or the low back,” Sutterer explained. “And potentially some that if the Heat win, could keep him out for the next game if not further into the postseason.”
Analyzing the play during which Adebayo injured his back, Sutterer explained the potential damage the fall may have caused.
“The majority of that impact is probably going through the sacrum, Sutterer expressed, “so I would not be surprised at all if we see this injury end up being a severe sacral contusion, like a bad sacral bone bruise or even a sacrum fracture.”
Sutterer referenced Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren’s iliac fracture, which sidelined him for over a month, while also breaking down a potential diagnosis for Adebayo.
“We remember what happened with Chet Holmgren, right? When he fell and had that iliac fracture that put him out multiple weeks if not multiple months,” Sutterer said. “ … That sacrum, the coccyx is a very vulnerable, exposed area when you have a direct trauma that can definitely cause a fracture in a situation like this.”
Miami Hoping for the Best As it Awaits Official Update
The Heat’s season is over, but there is significant concern over Adebayo’s injury.
The 28-year-old Miami star doesn’t have an injury history. He has appeared in at least 70 games in six of his nine NBA seasons. He has played at least 71 games in each of the last years.
Adebayo played just 11 minutes and scored six points on 3-for-3 shooting last night before exiting the game. While it wasn’t his all-around best season, he averaged over 20 points per game for just the second time in his career.
Of course, he had a viral 83-point explosion in Miami against the Washington Wizards last month.
The Heat finished the season 43-39 and wound up in the play-in tournament for the fourth year in a row.
With more details on Adebayo’s injury expected to become available soon, Miami is hoping for the best.
Bam Adebayo Injury Update: Doctor Suggests Serious Diagnosis, Possible Multi-Month Recovery