NBA Fines LaMelo Ball $35K for Obscene Gesture

LaMelo Ball was fined $35,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture—flipping off a referee—after being called for a charging foul during the Charlotte Hornets' 144-117 loss to the Miami Heat on Oct. 28. The gesture drew an immediate technical foul with about 4:02 remaining, but Ball remained in the game and finished with 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. The fine was confirmed in an NBA press release and is at least the second league penalty for Ball, who was hit with a $100,000 fine last year for an offensive remark. Individually he is off to a strong start this season (about 26.3 points, 9.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game), while Charlotte has struggled early in the season. Ball is expected to be available for the Hornets' next game in Orlando, and the fine underscores continued league scrutiny of player conduct on and off the court.