The NBA has fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $100,000 for a homophobic comment during a postgame interview after the team’s home game Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
As reported by The Athletic, Ball was being interviewed on the Hornets’ local FanDuel Sports Network television broadcast after the team’s 115-114 win over Milwaukee (4-9) when he was asked about the team’s strategy in defending Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks’ final possession.
“Yeah, we loaded up — no homo,” Ball said. “But that’s what we wanted. Put the hand up, and then live with the results.”
In a statement announcing the fine Sunday, the NBA said that comment was “offensive and derogatory.” Ball, 23, is in his fifth season in Charlotte (5-7) and signed a max rookie extension that kicked in this season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds through 12 games.
According to national basketball business reporter Mike Vorkunov, Ball is the latest player to be fined by the league for making anti-gay comments. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 in 2022 for making inappropriate statements on his Instagram account. Kevin Durant, then with the Brooklyn Nets, was fined $50,000 for using homophobic and misogynistic language in private messages that were then released publicly, Vorkunov reported.
