Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Fined $60,000, Avoids Suspension
lamelo-ball-fined-no-suspension
The NBA has issued a total of $60,000 in fines to Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, the league announced on Wednesday.
Ball was assessed a $35,000 penalty for tripping Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo during Charlotte’s overtime play-in victory at home on Tuesday night. An additional $25,000 fine was levied for the use of profanity in his postgame interview, bringing the total to $60,000.
Despite the financial punishment, Ball will not be suspended and remains eligible for Friday’s win-or-go-home play-in matchup against either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Orlando Magic.
The incident occurred in the second quarter when Ball, while falling to the court, appeared to grab Adebayo’s leg. The Heat center fell hard and did not return, later being diagnosed with a lower back injury. No foul was called on the play.
Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra was critical afterward. “He should have been thrown out of the game for that,” Spoelstra said. “There is no place in the game for that… It’s a dangerous play.”
Ball, who scored 30 points and hit the game-winning shot in the Hornets’ overtime win, denied any intent to injure. “I apologize on that one,” he told reporters. “I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was. I’m going to check on him.”
Adebayo’s status for Miami’s next game has not been announced.
Source: Hoops Wire
