do I get an ult orb if I die to spike?

I vaguely remember teams dying to spike to gain orb but I noticed today that it isn't possible?
was it ever a thing or am I hallucinating?

you shouldn't

you don't, it doesn't count as a death in your kda either
players die to spike to deny the other team the orbs

No, its used to deny the opponent team ult orbs.