LaMelo Ball hit with fine for on-court behavior

LaMelo Ball has been hit with a $35,000 fine for a gesture made to officials during a recent Charlotte Hornets loss.

The Hornet suffered a 144-117 defeat against the Miami Heat on Tuesday, slipping to a 2-2 record on the season. Ball put up 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Charlotte but the point guard was left frustrated by a refereeing call in the fourth quarter.

Ball drove towards the bucket with 4:02 left on the clock but was whistled for an offensive foul. He responded by showing a middle finger to the referee, earning himself a technical foul in-game.

On Thursday the league’s officiating committee returned with a fine of $35,000 for the gesture. The incident went viral on social media and footage of the encounter has been shared widely.

It is not the first time that Ball has found himself in hot water with league officials. In 2024 he received a $100,000 fine for using “offensive and derogatory” language during a game. Spotrac reports that his total NBA career fines now totals $173,000.

Nevertheless, Ball has made a promising start to the 2025 season in terms of his contribution to the team. He is currently averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds for the Hornets. Charlotte will take on the Orlando Magic on Thursday evening.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.