The breakup between Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro apparently did not end with a trade.
The two former Miami Heat teammates were involved in a physical altercation Friday at a practice court in Las Vegas, with Adebayo reportedly striking Herro during the exchange.
The incident reportedly took place at a hotel practice facility during NBA Summer League, where Herro was working with an AAU team he runs. Adebayo approached Herro on the court, words were exchanged, and Adebayo then struck him in the head area. Security escorted Herro away, Adebayo left on his own, and police were not called.
That is an extraordinary turn for two players who spent seven seasons together in Miami and were part of the Heat teams that reached the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. They grew from promising young players into All-Stars inside the same organization, often presented as foundational pieces of Miami’s future.
Now, they are former teammates – and apparently no longer friendly ones.
The tension is believed to be connected in part to critical remarks Herro allegedly made about Adebayo after being traded to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. Screenshots of alleged private messages circulated online in which Herro appeared to question Adebayo’s defense and the three-year, $166 million extension he signed with the Heat in 2024.
The timing made the entire situation even stranger. Before news of the incident became public, Herro appeared during coverage of a Summer League game between Miami and Milwaukee and said there was “all love” between himself and the Heat. When reporters later asked him about the altercation, his response was brief: “My only comment is no comment.”
The Heat acknowledged that they were aware of an incident but declined to comment further. The Bucks also reportedly knew about the situation and offered no additional statement.
