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NBA chiefs have slapped LaMelo Ball with a huge fine for making an alleged homophobic slur during an interview.
The Charlotte Hornets star made the comment after they dramatically beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-114 last week.
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Ball was discussing his team’s defensive strategy on the final play of the game that saw Giannis Antetokounmpo miss a two-point effort.
He said: “We loaded up – no homo.
“That is what we wanted, put a hand up and then live with the results.”
Ball has been hit with a $100,000 fine for the remark, which is the maximum amount for the offence under current rules.
The NBA called his comments “offensive and derogatory”.
Responding to the fine after the Hornets’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, Ball said: “I really didn’t mean anything and don’t want to offend anybody.
“I’ve got love for everybody and I don’t discriminate.”
Hornets head coach Charles Lee added: “I spoke to Melo and he’s obviously very apologetic.
“He and I talked about the seriousness of the situation and how he needs to conduct himself going forward.
“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.
“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 was voted NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and was named an NBA All-Star the season after.
He signed a five-year contract at the Hornets last summer that will pay a whopping $260million.
