‘They Hyped It up More to What It Was’ – Heat Coach States Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo’s Fight Wasn’t ‘That Crazy’

Amid the conversation surrounding Tyler Herro‘s and Bam Adebayo’s altercation in Las Vegas this past weekend, Miami Heat assistant coach Wayne Ellington revealed to the media that the incident was completely blown out of proportion. Here’s exactly what he had to say.

In the midst of Summer League, the No Fouls Given podcast, hosted by NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, three-time NBA champion Danny Green, and media personality Wosny Lambre, recorded an episode discussing the recent altercation between Herro and Adebayo.

Green notably mentioned that he previously had the chance to sit down with Ellington, a current assistant coach for the Heat. “He said he had spoke to him (Bam). He said they hyped it up more to what it was. Sometimes you got to check your little brother, that’s it. He said he spoke to Bam and it wasn’t that crazy.”

“We saw Tyler Herro… he looked fine…” Green added. “You got beat up like that, I don’t think you come out in public and show yourself with a black eye or something like that.”

When ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania first reported the “physical altercation” between Herro and Adebayo on Friday afternoon, shockwaves were sent across the NBA world. Many were left wondering about the details, and honestly, how hard Adebayo truly struck him.

However, thanks to Green, one of the league’s top up-and-coming analysts, along with Ellington, the primary source, fans finally received some answers regarding the situation.

Before Herro was dealt to Milwaukee as part of the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, he and Adebayo spent seven seasons together in Miami. As a duo, they made six playoff appearances, reached the Eastern Conference finals three times, and reached the NBA finals twice.

Unfortunately, they ultimately came up short both times, falling to the Lakers in six games during the 2020 NBA Finals and to the Nuggets in five games in the 2023 NBA Finals. Still, Herro and Adebayo, alongside Jimmy Butler III, were part of one of the NBA’s most formidable big threes for several years.

The Bucks and Heat are set to meet four times next season. Herro and Adebayo will likely have it out for each other in every single one of those matchups. The situation is worth monitoring to see if either player offers a public apology, but the NBA could certainly use another rivalry heading into the 2026-27 season.