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Hornets star LaMelo Ball fined $100K for anti-gay phrase

Sun Nov 17 7:18pm ET
Field Level Media

The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $100,000 Sunday for using "offensive and derogatory" language during a postgame TV interview.

At issue was an anti-gay phrase Ball used when answering a sideline interviewer's question about defending the last shot against Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo in Charlotte's 115-114 win over the Bucks on Saturday.

Hornets coach Charles Lee addressed Ball's remark in his postgame press conference and said Ball was "very apologetic."

"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."


Ball, 23, is averaging 29.6 points through 12 games for the Hornets, ranking fifth in the NBA.

Player Notes
Stephen Curry Sun Nov 17 7:00pm

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The superstar guard is reportedly dealing with left knee inflammation, which shouldn't sideline him for long. He missed three games towards the end of October due to an ankle issue. The Warriors are already low on depth at the guard spot, so losing Curry would certainly hurt. Buddy Hield should see additional playing time and is already worth rostering in most formats. Brandin Podziemski would probably see more minutes as well, but he isn't as appealing as Hield. Podziemski did finish with 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists during his last game, but he's more of a boom-or-bust option.

Damian Lillard Sun Nov 17 6:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (concussion) is listed as probable ahead of Monday's game against the Houston Rockets. It looks like Lillard is on the verge of returning after missing each of the last three games while in concussion protocol. Delon Wright has been starting with Lillard out, but he hasn't done much with the increased playing time. He's a solid defensive player, but doesn't bring much to the table on offense. That being said, Wright won't be worth streaming once Lillard returns to the court. Fantasy managers should check back before tip-off, but Lillard should be good to go for Monday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Sun Nov 17 6:40pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is listed as probable ahead of Monday's game against the Houston Rockets. The superstar forward continues to appear on the injury report, but he has only missed one game this season. Fantasy managers should expect to have Antetokounmpo unless he suffers a setback during warmups. If he sits, Bobby Portis would see an increased role and would have strong streaming appeal without the two-time MVP on the court.

Joel Embiid Sun Nov 17 6:30pm

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (illness) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Miami Heat. The superstar center is back on the injury report after only playing two games this season. Luckily, this sounds like a minor issue, so it should only cost Embiid one game at most. If he sits, Andre Drummond would move into the starting lineup while Guerschon Yabusele would see additional playing time off the bench. Drummond would be an interesting streaming option without Embiid on the court. He's a strong rebounder and has been a decent contributor with the Sixers shorthanded lately.

Walker Kessler Sun Nov 17 6:00pm

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (hip) will remain on the shelf for Sunday's clash with the Clippers. He continues to nurse a hip problem. With him out, the stage is set for John Collins to go off for another big game. He's notched 24.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals since replacing Kessler in the starting unit. Rookie Kyle Filipowski has also stepped up recently and deserves attention from fantasy managers. He has averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in the games Kessler has missed.

Karl-Anthony Towns Sun Nov 17 5:50pm

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) will play against Brooklyn on Sunday. A knee contusion kept him off the floor against the Nets on Friday, but Towns makes a quick return. The Knicks' new star center had 46 points against Chicago in his last outing and has hit the 30-point mark four times in his most recent five appearances. He's in a great position to do a lot of damage again on Sunday, as Brooklyn is missing Nicholas Claxton (back) and hasn't done very well defensively against opposing centers. Jericho Sims lands back on the bench with Towns' return.

Miles McBride Sun Nov 17 5:50pm

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (knee) will miss a second consecutive game on Sunday versus Brooklyn. McBride has been the first guy off the bench behind the Knicks' stacked starting five this season, averaging 10.7 points and 2.5 assists in 26.4 minutes. With him out of the rotation, Cameron Payne and Pacome Dadiet have a chance to see extra action, but neither player is a good fantasy option. The Knicks starters will likely be in for another busy night as well -- three of them logged 39-plus minutes against the Nets on Friday.

Amen Thompson Sun Nov 17 5:40pm

Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (quadriceps) has received the all-clear to play on Sunday versus Chicago. He injured his quadriceps against the Clippers on Friday and was initially regarded as questionable for Sunday's action. Thompson's availability is great news for the Rockets, as the 21-year-old has played great this month, averaging 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Thompson continues to come off the bench for Houston but has plenty to offer for fantasy managers. He also finds himself in a nice fantasy matchup on Sunday, as the Bulls lead the league in pace.

Luka Doncic Sun Nov 17 5:30pm

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (knee) will miss Sunday's matchup against Oklahoma City. The Mavericks superstar has been dealing with a knee injury all week and will give it some rest on Sunday. Quentin Grimes will come into the starting unit as his replacement. Grimes is a good three-point shooter and amassed 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal in his first start of the campaign. Jaden Hardy and Spencer Dinwiddie might receive more action as well on Sunday, while Kyrie Irving gets a usage boost with Doncic's absence.

Jimmy Butler Sun Nov 17 1:10pm

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (ankle) won't play in Sunday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. The 35-year-old was listed as questionable. However, he'll miss his fourth-straight contest on Sunday, so his next chance to return will be on Monday night versus the Philadelphia 76ers. With that in mind, Tyler Herro, averaging 28.7 points in the three games without Butler this season, is a lock for season-long fantasy setups. That also applies to DFS contests. At the same time, Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. could also see an uptick in fantasy production.

Nikola Jokic Sun Nov 17 1:10pm

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (personal) won't play in Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was listed as questionable heading into this one after missing Friday's game versus the New Orleans Pelicans due to personal reasons. As a result, Dario Saric entered the starting lineup in that one and finished with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal. With Jokic out again, Saric should continue to benefit from a fantasy standpoint, even if it's only for one more game.

LaMelo Ball Sun Nov 17 1:10pm

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (finger) is questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 26-year-old had 26 points, nine boards, and six assists in Saturday's one-point win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, he was added to the injury report because of a left index finger sprain. With Miles Bridges (knee) and Tre Mann (back) also questionable, the Hornets may need to rely more on Brandon Miller, Cody Martin, and Grant Williams for offensive production.

Donte DiVincenzo Sun Nov 17 1:10pm

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (back) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Phoenix Suns. The 27-year-old averaged 15.5 points with the Knicks last season. However, he has logged just 8.9 points and shot 30.3% from deep per contest during the 2024-25 campaign. While DiVincenzo's lack of production doesn't make him a routine fantasy starter, his absence could give Nickeil Alexander-Walker some streaming value for deeper fantasy setups on Sunday.

De'Aaron Fox Sun Nov 17 1:00am

Sacramento's G De'Aaron Fox scored 49 points on 16-of-30 shooting in a 121-117 win over the Jazz on Saturday, Nov. 16.

RJ Barrett Sun Nov 17 1:00am

Toronto's F RJ Barrett recorded a triple-double, finishing with 25 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in a 123-126 loss to Boston on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Sun Nov 17 1:00am

Milwaukee Bucks' F Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 12 assists and 15 rebounds in a 114-115 loss to Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Evan Mobley Sat Nov 16 9:30pm

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (illness) is probable heading into Sunday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Mobley wasn't feeling too hot on Friday, keeping him off the floor versus the Chicago Bulls. As a result, Georges Niang entered the starting lineup and finished that one with 14 points and eight rebounds. But now that Mobley is expected to suit up on Sunday, Niang will lose nearly all streaming value for fantasy managers. As far as Mobley is concerned, he could thrive versus a Chicago team that has had trouble dealing with opposing big men all year.

Marcus Smart Sat Nov 16 9:30pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (illness) is doubtful for Sunday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. The 30-year-old recently returned to the lineup after missing six games with a sprained ankle. However, after appearing in the Grizzlies' previous two contests, he's now expected to miss another game due to an illness. With Ja Morant (hip) out, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Well may continue to start. But their potential is capped with Desmond Bane back from his oblique injury.

Jusuf Nurkic Sat Nov 16 9:20pm

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) is listed as probable heading into Sunday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 30-year-old missed Tuesday's meeting with the Utah Jazz because of a sprained ankle. Although he had carried injury designations before the Suns' previous two games against the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder, he's been out there. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Nurkic struggled versus OKC, scoring four points and shooting a rough 0-for-7 from the field. With that said, Nurkic is still worth a start in all fantasy setups. On the other hand, DFS managers may want to look in a different direction, at least until he shows he's not dealing with any residual effects from the injury.

Deandre Ayton Sat Nov 16 9:20pm

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (finger) Isn't expected to suit up for Sunday's game against the visiting Hawks. If the 26-year-old doesn't play because of a sprained right index finger, it will mark his third-straight absence. But with things heading in that direction, fantasy managers should prepare to pivot toward Donovan Clingan, who had 17 points, 12 boards, and eight blocks while taking over in the middle for Wednesday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, Robert Williams III didn't play in that one after amassing 19 points, nine boards, three steals, and three blocks the night before versus Minnesota, the first of back-to-back contests between the clubs. With that in mind, Williams and Clingan should see the floor, although both players may compromise each other's fantasy production.


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