LaMelo Ball Fined for Obscene Gesture
LaMelo Ball, the standout player of the Hornets, has been hit with a $35,000 fine for an obscene gesture he directed at referees during a game against Miami on Tuesday, as reported by the NBA.
The incident occurred when Ball expressed his anger after being called for a charge with just over four minutes left in the game, where the Hornets were down 144-117.
After the whistle blew, he reacted—well, let’s just say, it wasn’t subtle. He ended up getting a technical foul and didn’t return to the game, finishing with 20 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds on 6-of-18 shooting across 20 minutes of play.
Interestingly, this fine pales in comparison to the $100,000 penalty he received for making anti-gay comments last November. Following a game against the Bucks, Ball stated, “I did my best, I’m not a fagot,” which led to the NBA labeling his remarks as offensive.
After the backlash, he later apologized, saying in November 2024, “I really had no intention [of this] and I don’t want to offend anyone. I have love for everyone and I don’t discriminate.”
At 24, Ball—selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and the son of LaVar Ball—is currently in his sixth season with the Hornets. Despite his efforts, the team has struggled over the years, with their last postseason appearance dating back to 2016.
This season, Ball has been putting up impressive stats, averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game as the Hornets hold a 2-2 record. However, the team’s performance remains a concern; they’ve recorded just one win in Ball’s first five seasons and their victory counts over the last few seasons have fluctuated—27, 21, and 19 respectively.
There’s a flicker of hope for this year’s roster, as they’re looking to be more competitive and potentially qualify for the play-in tournament. The Hornets did manage to secure wins against the lower-ranked Wizards and Nets but faced stronger opponents like the Heat and 76ers.
Next up for Charlotte? They’ll take on a struggling Magic team Thursday night.
