Hornets’ LaMelo Ball fined $100K for using anti-gay term

CLEVELAND — Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 after using an anti-gay term during a postgame interview following his team’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Hornets coach Charles Lee on Sunday said Ball is “very apologetic” for making what the NBA called “an offensive and derogatory comment.”

Sideline reporter Shannon Spake asked Ball about the team’s defensive strategy against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the game’s final play, and Ball used an anti-gay term while giving his answer.

The league penalized the 23-year-old Ball on Sunday before the Hornets played in Cleveland. The maximum fine allowed by league rule is $100,000.

Lee opened his pregame media availability by addressing the situation and said he had spoken to Ball.

“As an organization, that is obviously 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.

“I spoke to Melo and he’s obviously very apologetic. From what I’ve seen since I’ve been around him, he loves everyone. He’s a joy to have around the facility and it’s not typically how he operates. He and I talked about the seriousness of the situation and how he needs to conduct himself going forward.”

Lee said Ball was remorseful.

“He understands what’s going to be expected of him,” Lee said. “I look forward to seeing him grow from this moment, but I wanted to start off by saying that we apologize for what happened.”

Ball was not made available to reporters before the game.

Lee said he was confident Ball would keep his word.

“He and I talked about it and he definitely said, ‘Going forward, I’m going to be better,’ and I want to see that happen,” Lee said. “So for somebody to use those words and say that out of his mouth, we will make sure to hold him accountable to that.”

Ball had 26 points in the 115-114 win over Milwaukee, including a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds left that gave Charlotte the lead for good.

Ball is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in his fifth season. He was Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 and an All-Star the following season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.