The Charlotte Hornets were the third-worst team in the NBA by a record standpoint during the 2024-25 season and are looking to make a massive improvement in 2025-26.
Charlotte looked the part in the first three games of the season with two blowout wins and a close, four-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. However, on Tuesday, the Hornets were exposed as the Miami Heat routed LaMelo Ball and company 144-117.
That was just the beginning of Ball’s bad night, though. The star point guard picked up his first technical foul of the season in the late stages of the fourth quarter for what he did after being called for a charge. Immediately after the foul call he flipped the middle finger to an official.
NFL News: NFL Announces Punishment Decision After Baker Mayfield Incident
College Football News: Lane Kiffin Sends Subtle Message Amid Florida, LSU Rumors
But that wasn’t the only punishment for Ball. Just two days later, the NBA announced a hefty fine for the young point guard.
“Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the league said in a statement on Oct. 30. “The incident, for which Ball was assessed a technical foul, occurred with 4:02 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 122-117 loss to the Miami heat on Oct. 28 at Kaseya Center.”
Loading twitter content…
Ball finished the night with a team-high 20 points while adding nine points and eight assists on the night. He’s currently averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game through the first four games of the season.
Football News: NFL’s Potential Ravens Punishment Revealed After Lamar Jackson Controversy
