CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee says star guard LaMelo Ball is “very apologetic” for making what the NBA called “an offensive and derogatory comment” as it fined him $100,000, the maximum allowed by league rule.
Ball made the comment Saturday on FanDuel Sports Network shortly after the Hornets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 115-114.
Sideline reporter Shannon Spake asked Ball about the team’s defensive strategy against Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo on the game’s final play, and Ball used an anti-gay slur while delivering his answer.
The league penalized the 23-year-old Ball on Sunday before the Hornets played in Cleveland.
Lee opened his pregame media availability by addressing the situation and said he had spoken to Ball about his behavior.
“As an organization that is obviously not something we condone," said Lee, who is in his first season as Charlotte's coach. "Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us.
“I spoke to Melo and he’s obviously very apologetic. 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 said Ball was remorseful.
“He understands what’s going to be expected of him," he said. "I look forward to seeing him grow from this moment, but I wanted to start off by saying that we apologize for what happened.”
Ball was not made available to reporters before the game.
Lee was confident Ball would keep his word.
“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," Lee said. "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 had 26 points in the win over Milwaukee, including a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds left that gave Charlotte the lead for good.
Ball is averaging 29.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds in his fifth season. He was Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 and an All-Star the following season.
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Tom Withers, The Associated Press
