Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 on Sunday after using an anti-gay term during a postgame interview on Saturday night.
The league announced the fine on Sunday afternoon, the maximum amount it can hand out for behavior or statements under the current collective labor agreement. The NBA said Ball used an “offensive and derogatory comment” during an on-court interview.
Ball was asked shortly after the Hornets’ 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night how the team defended Giannis Antetokounmpo on the final play of the game at the Spectrum Center. Antetokounmpo, who had his first triple-double of the season in the game, looked for a game-winning bucket just inside the three-point line, but his shot barely got off as the final buzzer sounded. Then Ball slipped into the anti-gay term.
Ball had a team-high 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the win for the Hornets, who are now 5-7 on the year. He shot just 1-of-7 from behind the arc. The 23-year-old is averaging 29.6 points and 6.3 assists per game this season, his fifth with the Hornets. Ball played just 22 games last season due to an ankle injury.
The Hornets will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers next Sunday afternoon, which will mark the start of a quick two-game road trip.
