Story by
Andy BackstromContributing writer
Sat, July 11, 2026 at 12:13 AM UTC·4 min read
Miami Heat frontcourt star Bam Adebayo struck Milwaukee Bucks backcourt standout Tyler Herro in the “face area” during a physical altercation between the two former Heat teammates in Las Vegas on Friday morning
A Friday report from The Athletic detailed that the fracas took place at a gym inside the Resorts World Casino in front of Herro’s AAU team in Vegas, the city where the Heat and Bucks squared off in NBA Summer League action Friday afternoon. The Athletic, citing multiple sources who witnessed the altercation, reported Herro said something to Adebayo when Adebayo walked onto the courts. Adebayo approached Herro and punched him, per The Athletic’s report, which then reads, “Herro’s AAU coach confronted Adebayo, and Herro yelled at his former teammate while being escorted out by security personnel.”
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ESPN’s Charania reported Adebayo approached Herro concerning critical commentary the one-time All-Star guard shared on social media about the three-time All-Star center following the conclusion of their seven-season run in Miami
Adebayo and Herro were Heat teammates from 2019-26. During that span, Miami made a pair of NBA Finals appearances: first in 2020 and again in 2023. Longtime NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Friday the Heat were aware of the altercation but aren’t commenting on it. The Bucks also had no comment, per multiplereports
Herro was asked about the reported dustup with Adebayo on Friday
“My only comment is no comment,” Herro said, per Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel
Herro was part of the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade that sent the 26-year-old to the Bucks this summer, along with center Kel’el Ware, wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakučionis, the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft — which Milwaukee used to grab Tennessee forward Nate Ament — and future draft considerations, including two more first-round picks. The Heat wound up with Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP, and veteran forward Bobby Portis
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News of that deal first broke on June 22, effectively bringing an end to the turbulent final chapter of Antetokounmpo’s mostly inspiring 13-season run with the Bucks
As Herro prepared to start the next act of his NBA career, he issued a thoughtful farewell message to the Heat and their fans earlier this month. But days before that, according to the Miami Herald, Herro posted a graphic on Instagram that listed the league’s worst midrange shooters last season. Antetokounmpo topped that unfortunate leaderboard at 26.8%, and Adebayo came in 10th at 35.9%, per the Herald
Plus, screenshots circulated of a direct message conversation, in which comments seemingly questioning Adebayo’s play and contract were attributed to Herro online
Herro was integral to the Heat’s trip to the Finals in the bubble amid the pandemic-affected 2020 season. He earned Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2022. The Kentucky product averaged 19.5 points with a 38.2% clip from beyond the arc over his seven-year career. But his time in Miami was filled with trade rumors and limited by injury, including during the Heat’s 2023 playoff run
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Adebayo, who’s turning 29 later this month, has won a pair of Olympic gold medals. Another Kentucky basketball alum, the 6-foot-9, 260-pound big man posted 20.1 points and 10 rebounds per contest this past season, famously passing the late Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in league history with 83 points versus the Washington Wizards on March 10
In July 2024, Adebayo signed a three-year extension reportedly worth $166 million that goes through the 2028-29 season
Herro sat courtside for Friday’s Summer League game, which the Heat won against the Bucks 119-86 at the Thomas & Mack Center
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During that game, Haynes asked Herro about being around the Heat staff again
“It’s all love,” Herro said in that NBA on Prime interview, which occurred shortly before reports about his altercation with Adebayo surfaced. “It’s all love in Miami. I’ve seen a couple of the guys and the coaching staff — Chris Quinn (associate head coach), Spo (head coach Erik Spoelstra) — [and] the front-office guys. We’re all good in Miami
“Just the opportunity for both sides to reset, get a fresh start, and we’re both super happy for this.”
Adebayo wasn’t at the game, per The Athletic, but he’s been working out with the Heat in Vegas, according to the Sun Sentinel
