Former Miami Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were involved in a brief verbal and physical altercation at a practice facility for the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas on Friday. According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Adebayo struck Herro at least once during the encounter.
The individual, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, noted that neither player nor their respective teams had publicly revealed any details about the incident. ESPN first reported details of the altercation.
Herro’s Recent Trade and Contract Comments
The incident comes after Herro was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. This deal brought Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, where he is set to play alongside Adebayo, the Heat captain.
One of the factors related to the altercation was reportedly that Herro had made some critical comments about Adebayo. These comments were specifically concerning the three-year, $166m extension that Miami gave Adebayo in 2024.
Herro is believed to have made these critical comments in direct messages to someone on social media. Screenshots of those private conversations reportedly eventually went public.
Team and Player Reactions
The Miami Heat confirmed they were aware that an incident took place but declined to offer further comment. Herro, speaking briefly to the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel after a summer game between the Bucks and Heat, stated, “my only comment is no comment”.
Herro attended that particular summer game. However, Adebayo was not present for the contest.
Other Summer League Events
In other events taking place in Las Vegas at the Summer League on Friday, the Washington Wizards have been holding team meetings. Veterans were present at Summer League to observe No 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.
Players such as Anthony Davis also showed up to support Trae Young at the news conference discussing his $212m, four-year deal with the Wizards. Young, a four-time All-Star, was sidelined by injuries for most of this past season, averaging 17.9 points in only 15 games with Atlanta and Washington.
This average was more than seven points per game below his career average. He made five appearances with the Wizards after being traded to them by the Hawks, where he had played for his first seven and a half NBA seasons.
Young seemed to enjoy the team bonding, stating, “I’m a people’s person.” He added, “I think to be the best version of yourself, you’ve got to be in the most comfortable spot for yourself. I mean, surround yourself with the right people and the right things.”
Young further explained his comfort, saying, “And for me, just being around here [for] the few months that I was after I got traded, it just felt like this could be my next home. And I mean, that’s why I’m here.”
Young also commented on the criticism regarding the money the Wizards committed to him, insisting he was not bothered. “I don’t really care about what other people think,” Young said.
He continued, “I just care about what the people in this organization think, my teammates think and how we’re going to get better and how we’re going to find ways to win games. So, what everybody else has to say, I mean, it’s all irrele”.
The Heat have not provided any additional details regarding the altercation between Adebayo and Herro.