Hornets star LaMelo Ball fined $100,000 for anti-gay slur

The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $100,000 on Sunday for using “offensive and derogatory” language during a postgame television interview.

It was an anti-gay phrase Ball used when he answered a sideline interviewer’s question about defending the final shot against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in Charlotte’s 115-114 win over the Bucks on Saturday.

Hornets coach Charles Lee addressed Ball’s remark in his postgame press conference, saying Ball was “very apologetic.”

“Obviously, as an organization, it’s 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, who are fifth in the NBA.