Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 for what the NBA called an “offensive and derogatory” comment referencing gay people, the league announced on Sunday. (Watch the video below.)
Ball was asked about the team’s mindset in guarding Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the final play of the Hornets’ narrow victory on Saturday. (Antetokounmpo missed a shot at the buzzer.)
“Yeah, we loaded up — no homo,” Ball replied on Charlotte’s FanDuel Sports Network TV feed. “But that’s what we wanted. Put the hand up, and then live with the results.”
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Ball, who is the league’s fifth leading scorer this season at 29.6 points per game, addressed the controversy on Sunday after Charlotte’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Before we get started, I just want to address the comment yesterday,” he said, per ESPN. “I really didn’t mean anything [by it] and don’t want to offend anybody. I’ve got love for everybody, and I don’t discriminate.”
The fine appears to be among the largest in the recent history of players making homophobic remarks.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves was fined $40,000 in 2022 and Kevin Durant $50,000 in 2021, The Athletic noted.
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