Hornets star LaMelo Ball fined $100,000 for anti-gay phrase
The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $100,000 Sunday for using “offensive and derogatory” language during a postgame TV interview.
At issue was an anti-gay phrase Ball used when answering a sideline interviewer’s question about defending the last shot against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in Charlotte’s 115-114 win over the Bucks on Saturday, November 16.
BREAKING: LaMelo Ball has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for ‘offensive & derogatory’ comments in a postgame interview.
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) November 17, 2024
When asked about how Charlotte stopped Giannis Antetokounmpo on a game-winning possession, LaMelo said, “we loaded up, no h***.”
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Hornets coach Charles Lee addressed Ball’s remark in his postgame press conference and said Ball was “very apologetic.”
“As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone,” said Lee, who is in his first season as Charlotte’s coach. “Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us.”
Ball, 23, is averaging 29.6 points through 12 games for the Hornets, ranking fifth in the NBA. – Rappler.com