LaMelo Ball has had a great start to the 2025-26 NBA season, but the Hornets star was recently given a hefty fine for an act he committed.
NBA PR announced on social media Thursday afternoon that Ball was fined $35,000 for an "obscene gesture" he made in the Hornets' 144-117 loss to the Heat on Tuesday.
Here's everything you need to know about the incident.
What did LaMelo Ball do?
Ball appeared to give a referee the middle finger after being called for a charge with 4:02 remaining in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. He was also issued a technical foul during the game when the gesture was made.
Video of the incident quickly went viral on social media and has resurfaced following Thursday's news.
It's the second-most expensive fine Ball has received in the NBA. In 2024, he was fined $100,000 for using "offensive and derogatory" language.
Ball has now paid a total of $173,000 in fines in his NBA career, per Spotrac.
Ball had 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the loss to Miami. He's averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds through four games to start the 2025-26 season.
The Hornets' next game is against the Magic on Thursday night.
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