Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has addressed a recent comment that led to a $100,000 fine from the NBA, apologizing for his words and expressing regret over the incident. Following the Hornets’ 128-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 23-year-old guard took the opportunity to address the comment—one that the NBA described as “offensive and derogatory”—before his postgame interview on Sunday, November 17.
“Before we get started, I just want to address the comment yesterday. I really didn’t mean anything by it and don’t want to offend anybody,” Ball said, as reported by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. “I’ve got love for everybody, and I don’t discriminate,” he added.
The controversy stemmed from a comment Ball made during a live interview on the Hornets’ FanDuel Sports Network after their 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, November 16. During the interview, Ball said, “Yeah, we loaded up—no homo—but that’s what we wanted,” which prompted swift backlash.
On Sunday, the NBA issued a statement condemning the remark. Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, announced that Ball would be fined $100,000 for his “offensive and derogatory” language.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee also addressed the incident after the Cavaliers game, emphasizing that the organization does not tolerate such behavior. “As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone,” Lee said. He went on to stress the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment for the team and its players. “The environment we create as an organization is really important, and we hold everyone to a high standard,” Lee noted.
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Lee said he spoke to Ball about the comment and explained that the young star was “obviously very apologetic.” The coach added, “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 shared that Ball had promised to do better moving forward. “He told me, ‘I’m going to be better,’ and we will make sure to hold him accountable to that,” Lee said.
Ball, who is currently in his fifth season with the Charlotte Hornets, has been a key figure for the team since being drafted third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. This season, he is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game, making him one of the most productive players on the roster.
Ball comes from a family deeply rooted in professional basketball. His older brother, Lonzo Ball, is also an NBA player, while his other brother, LiAngelo Ball, has pursued a professional basketball career as well. Despite the recent controversy, LaMelo remains a critical part of the Hornets’ lineup, and the organization is hopeful that he will learn from this incident and continue to grow both on and off the court.
The apology and subsequent fine highlight the NBA’s commitment to promoting respect and inclusivity within the league. For LaMelo Ball, this serves as a moment of reflection and a chance to demonstrate his growth moving forward.
With the support of his coaches and teammates, Ball will look to move past this incident and continue to be a positive influence both on the court and in the broader basketball community.
