The NBA fined Hornets star LaMelo Ball $100,000 after he made an anti-gay remark throughout an interview following Charlotte’s 115-114 upset win over the struggling Bucks at residence Saturday.
Ball had been speaking in regards to the final play of the sport, the place Grant Williams efficiently defended Giannis Antetokounmpo on the high of the important thing and compelled a contested jumper for the win — which missed off the entrance of the rim.
“We loaded up,” Ball stated, earlier than including “no homo” whereas decreasing his voice.
The NBA launched a press release with their advantageous Sunday, saying Ball made “an offensive and derogatory comment” postgame.
Ball, who has handled accidents all through his profession after taking the Rookie of the 12 months award, is within the early levels of a profession yr, averaging 29.6 factors, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds by way of the primary 12 video games whereas serving to Charlotte accumulate a 5-7 file.
Since being the No. 3 general decide within the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball has performed in additional than 51 video games simply as soon as throughout his profession, showing in 75 video games in the course of the 2021-22 marketing campaign and incomes the lone All-Star Sport nod of his profession.
Ball logged simply 58 mixed video games throughout the 2 years that adopted, although, and in 2023-24, he sustained an ankle harm throughout a January recreation and missed the remainder of the yr.
“He’s like the engine for us,” head coach Charles Lee advised reporters following their season-opening win on Oct. 23, when Ball scored 34 factors and dished out 11 assists. “If we have a healthy LaMelo Ball, we’re going to do a lot of really good things because I know that he’s going to continue to grow and he helps everyone around him continue to be better, too.”
The Hornets face the Cavaliers on Sunday in Cleveland, and so they’ll try at hand them their first lack of the season.
