Heat big man Bam Adebayo punched his former teammate Tyler Herro in Las Vegas on Friday morning, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN (story via Charania’s colleagues Ohm Youngmisuk and Jamal Collier).
Charania’s sources described the altercation as Adebayo striking Herro near the “head area.”
Sam Amick, Joe Vardon, Eric Nehm and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic have more details on the incident, which “took place inside a gym in the Resorts World Casino in front of an AAU team run by Herro.”
While Charania hears Adabayo initiated the altercation, The Athletic reported that Herro said something to Adebayo, who responded by walking over and punching the 26-year-old guard. Both players left the scene on their own and police were not called, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas police department confirmed to The Athletic.
After being involved in trade rumors for years, Herro was dealt to his hometown Bucks as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster.
Herro recently appeared to criticize Adebayo by posting an info graphic on social media showing the least-efficient mid-range shooters in the league last season, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, and also allegedly made comments critical of Adebayo’s performance and contract via a “burner account” in leaked direct messages with a fan.
As Jackson tweets, “multiple former Heat players” harbor a level of resentment toward Adebayo due to the massive deal he signed and because the team’s captain has never seriously been involved in trade rumors, unlike many of his current and ex-teammates.
Before the news broke, Herro sat courtside for Friday’s Summer League game between the Heat and Bucks and discussed his former team in an interview on Prime. Adebayo was not in attendance.
“It’s all love in Miami,” Herro said when asked if it’s awkward seeing his former team. “I’ve seen a couple of the guys, coaching staff, Chris Quinn, Spo [Erik Spoelstra], the front office guys; we are all good in Miami. Just an opportunity for both sides to reset, get a fresh start, and both are super happy with this.”
Herro declined to comment after the incident was reported. The Heat said they were “aware and not commenting.”