Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball was fined $100,000 after using an anti-gay term during a postgame interview following his team’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
The NBA announced the fine — the maximum amount allowed by league rule — on Sunday, saying Ball made an “offensive and derogatory comment” during his on-court interview.
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 term while delivering his answer.
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas was fined $40,000 for making a similar comment last season.
Ball, 23, had 26 points in Saturday’s victory, including a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds left that gave Charlotte the lead for good.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.