LaMelo Ball penalized for rolling over officials
Charlotte Hornets star guardian LaMelo Ball was punished $35,000 from the NBA after making an obscene gesture toward an official during Charlotte’s loss to the Miami Heat. The league soon announced the penalty, saying Ball’s actions violated standards of conduct for the players on the field.
LaMelo Ball has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for making an inappropriate gesture toward an official.
That gesture was on Tuesday night when he dismissed the judge after being called for the charge.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) October 30, 2025
The incident occurred with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Charlotte’s 144-117 loss in Miami. After being called for a driving foul, Ball overruled the referee. He was immediately assessed a technical foul. Frustration overshadowed what was another strong performance from the Hornets’ top player.
Ball, 24, is off to an impressive start this season. He is averaging 26.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.5 assists while shooting 44 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. His production has kept Charlotte competitive through the early part of the season. That’s despite the fact that Charlotte’s young roster continues to develop chemistry under coach Charles Lee.
This isn’t the first time Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been fined
The fine marks the second of Ball’s NBA career. In 2023, he was fined $100,000 for using offensive language during a post-game interview. Earlier in his career, he received a league warning for flopping, but escaped punishment at the time.
Despite this setback, Ball remains central to the Hornets’ rebuild. Since being drafted third overall in 2020, he has averaged 21.0 points, 7.4 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 231 career games. When healthy, Ball’s mix of playmaking talent and offensive efficiency has made Charlotte one of the league’s most fun teams to watch.
The Hornets entered this season looking to end their long playoff drought dating back to 2016. While their offense ranks among the NBA’s best early on, defensive struggles have limited their success. Ball’s ability to lead with maturity and composure will be crucial if Charlotte hopes to turn top games into meaningful victories.
2025-10-30 16:07:00
