CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two words said during an interview will cost Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball six figures.
The NBA fined Ball $100,000 for "an offensive and derogatory comment" in a postgame interview after the Hornets' 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Ball's comments happened live on FanDuel Sports Network after the win. Sideline reporter Shannon Spake asked Ball about a late play that led to a pair of game-winning free throws in the closing seconds.
"We loaded up -- no homo," Ball said. "That's what we wanted."
A similar "no homo" comment cost Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas $40,000 in February 2023.
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Ball led the Hornets with 26 points and made all 11 free throw attempts. He leads the team in points per game (29.6), assists per game (6.2), and is tied for the lead in steals per game (1.2).
Charlotte (5-7) faces the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (14-0) on Sunday at 6 p.m.