Bam Adebayo threatens fan in Denver: 'I’ll slap the sh*t out you'

Tensions ran high in the Miami Heat’s 135-122 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday. With just under two minutes left in the game, Heat forward Bam Adebayo could be heard threatening a fan while Nuggets guard Jamal Murray shot free throws.

“I’ll slap the sh*t out of you,” Adebayo said to the spectator.

It’s unclear what the fan said to Adebayo to warrant such a response. However, Adebayo’s response was easy to understand and he didn’t hesitate to repeat himself.

It was the Heat’s third-straight loss, undoubtedly adding to Adebayo’s frustration. The former Kentucky standout finished the game with 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists while shooting 7-18 from the field.

Bam Adebayo to a fan: “I’ll slap the sh*t out you tho” pic.twitter.com/XZoKpa9joB

— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) November 9, 2024

Adebayo’s had a slow start to the season, averaging less points, rebounds and assists than he did in the 2023-24 campaign. Moreover, Adebayo is shooting 12.3% worse from the floor.

Assuming Bam Adebayo doesn’t face any repercussions from the league, he won’t have to wait long to have another chance to get in the win column. On Sunday, the Heat will square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. ET.

Gregg Popovich out indefinitely with health issues

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich suffered an undisclosed health issue before the team’s game on Saturday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson is expected to serve as the Spurs’ interim head coach in Popovich’s absence.

Johnson was reportedly informed that Popovich wasn’t feeling well about 2 1/2 hours before the Spurs tipped off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Johnson said this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.

“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said. “This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well.”

Popovich has been the Spurs’ head coach since 1996. He is the NBA’s all-time wins leader and a five-time NBA champion. For his efforts, he’s been named the NBA Coach of the Year three times and has been chosen to serve as a coach in the NBA All-Star Game four times.