LaMelo Ball fined $100,000 for using anti-gay language in interview after Hornets beat Bucks

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 by the NBA for making a homophobic comment during an interview after the team’s game Saturday night.

Ball was being interviewed on the Hornets’ local FanDuel Sports Network telecast following the team’s 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks (4-9) when he was asked about the team’s strategy in defending Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks’ final possession.

“Yeah, we filled up — no gay,” Ball said. “But that’s what we wanted. Raise your hand and live with the results.”

In a statement released Sunday, the NBA said the comment was “offensive and derogatory” when it imposed the fine. Ball, 23, is in his fifth season in Charlotte (5-7) and signed a max rookie extension that started this season. In 12 games this season, Ball is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

He is the latest player to be fined by the league for making anti-gay comments. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $40,000 in 2022 for making inappropriate comments on his Instagram account. Kevin Durant, then with the Nets, was fined $50,000 for using homophobic and misogynistic language in private messages that were then made public.

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(Photo: David Jensen / Getty Images)