Hornets' LaMelo Ball Assessed Flagrant Foul, Fined $35K for Play That Injured Heat's Bam Adebayo On Wednesday, the NBA announced that Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball had been retroactively assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2 and fined $35,000 for a play during the Hornets’ Play-In Tournament game against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the second quarter when Ball was blocked, fell to the floor, and then yanked Bam Adebayo’s leg in frustration, causing the Heat center to land awkwardly and exit the game with a back injury. Adebayo did not return to the contest. NBA executive vice president James Jones described the play as “unnecessary and reckless contact” that “created significant injury risk.” The league’s decision to upgrade the foul to a flagrant 2 effectively acknowledged that the incident was ejection-worthy, aligning with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s earlier criticism. Spoelstra called the play “stupid” and stated that Ball “should’ve been thrown out of the game” during a postgame interview. Ball’s actions came after Charlotte secured a 127-126 overtime victory, with the guard finishing with a game-high 30 points (on 12-of-31 shooting) and a game-high 10 assists in 40 minutes. Despite the controversy, Ball addressed the incident in a postgame interview, apologizing for his actions and stating he “didn’t really know where I was” due to being hit in the head. He also mentioned he would check on Adebayo’s condition. In addition to the $35,000 fine for the flagrant foul, Ball was also fined $25,000 for using profanity during his walkoff interview. The NBA’s disciplinary measures highlight the league’s stance on both on-court conduct and off-court behavior, particularly in high-stakes games.#nba #miami_heat #bam_adebayo #charlotte_hornets #la_melo_ball
Charlotte Hornets on the Brink of a Three-Year Postseason Return The Charlotte Hornets have endured a prolonged drought without a postseason appearance, a situation that has tested the patience of fans and the organization alike. After a disastrous 4-14 start to the 2024-25 season, many feared another lost year in the Queen City. However, the Hornets have staged one of the most remarkable mid-season turnarounds in NBA history, transforming from a struggling team into a competitive force. This resurgence has reignited hope for the franchise and its supporters, who have long awaited a return to relevance. The Hornets’ turnaround has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since their rocky start, the team has compiled a 36-22 record, pushing them to 40-36 with six games remaining in the regular season. A victory in their upcoming matchup against the Phoenix Suns would secure a winning record for the first time since the 2021-22 season. This achievement would mark the first non-losing season in Charlotte since that campaign, a milestone that carries significant historical weight. The 2021-22 season remains a high point for the Hornets, as they finished with a 43-39 record and reached the first play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks. That year, LaMelo Ball played a career-high 75 games and earned his lone All-Star selection. Key contributors like Terry Rozier III, Miles Bridges, Gordon Hayward, Montrezl Harrell, and PJ Washington Jr. all averaged double-digit points, forming a core that gave the team a fighting chance. However, the Hornets’ playoff run ended in heartbreak, as they fell to Atlanta in the play-in game. In the years following that season, the Hornets struggled to maintain their momentum. From 2022-23 to 2023-24, the team posted losing records of 27-55, 21-61, and 19-63, respectively.#miles_bridges #charlotte_hornets #la_melo_ball #gordon_hayward #terry_rozier_iii
Knicks Seek To Extend Winning Streak Against Hot Hornets In March 26 Matchup The New York Knicks aim to continue their winning streak as they travel to Charlotte to face the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The game, set for 7 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center, marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with the Knicks holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. The teams last played on December 3, 2025, when New York defeated Charlotte 119-104 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, currently sitting at 48-25, have won seven consecutive games, including a 121-116 victory over the Pelicans on Tuesday. The Hornets, with a 38-34 record, are riding a four-game winning streak and have gone 7-3 in their last 10 contests. The Hornets’ offense has been a key factor in their recent success, ranking fourth in the league in offensive rating while maintaining a solid 12th-ranked defensive rating. They average 116.4 points per game and allow 111.8, giving them the sixth-best net rating in the league. LaMelo Ball, the team’s primary playmaker, leads the way with 19.7 points and 7.1 assists per game, while Brandon Miller contributes 20.3 points and 39% shooting from beyond the arc. Miles Bridges, a versatile forward, averages 17.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, and rookie Kon Knueppel, likely to start despite a back injury, adds shooting depth. The Hornets’ expected starting lineup includes Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Bridges, and Moussa Diabaté, who averages 8.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Knicks, however, face challenges on the injury front. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet are listed as out due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively. The Hornets also have Tidjane Salaun out with a calf injury, while Pat Connaughton’s status is questionable due to illness.#new_york_knicks #miles_bridges #charlotte_hornets #la_melo_ball #spectrum_center
NBA Fines Magic Guard Jalen Suggs $25,000 for Throwing Mouthpiece The National Basketball Association announced Saturday that Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has been fined $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece toward the stands during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The incident occurred in the first quarter of the Magic’s 130-111 loss to the Hornets on Thursday in Charlotte. Suggs tossed his mouthpiece off the court after being bumped by Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, which led to a technical foul call. The action happened with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter. Suggs, who was playing for the Magic, finished the game with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting in 22 minutes of action. The fine is part of the NBA’s ongoing efforts to enforce conduct rules during games. Officials cited the incident as a violation of league protocols, which prohibit players from throwing equipment or objects toward the crowd. The decision to fine Suggs aligns with previous penalties for similar infractions, emphasizing the league’s stance on maintaining order and safety in arenas. The Magic’s loss to the Hornets extended their struggles in the early season, with the team facing challenges in both offensive and defensive execution. Suggs’ performance, while contributing to the team’s scoring, did not help secure a win against a competitive opponent. The incident also highlighted the physical nature of NBA play, where contact and frustration can lead to controversial moments. The NBA’s enforcement of such fines aims to deter players from engaging in behavior that could endanger fans or disrupt the flow of the game. While the fine is a standard response to the incident, it underscores the league’s commitment to upholding its rules and maintaining a professional environment.#nba #la_melo_ball #orlando_magic #jalen_suggs #new_orleans_pelicans
Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (March 8, 2026) The Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns are set to face off on March 8, 2026, in a late-season matchup scheduled for 10:00 ET. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning as the NBA regular season approaches its final stretch. Charlotte, fighting to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in picture, faces a challenge with limited depth due to injuries. Phoenix, meanwhile, remains in a tight Western Conference race but also grapples with multiple key absences. The availability of players and the effectiveness of their rotations could heavily influence the outcome of the game. For the Hornets, the injury report shows minimal impact on their active roster, with only one player listed as out. Tidjane Salaun is sidelined with a left calf strain, while several younger players are with the G League. This allows LaMelo Ball to remain in the lineup as the team’s primary playmaker. The Hornets’ roster includes Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller as key scorers, with Collin Sexton, acquired in a trade with Utah, adding depth at the guard position. The frontcourt features Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate, though Mark Williams and Nick Richards were traded to Phoenix earlier in the season. The Suns, however, face a more significant challenge with multiple injuries affecting their rotation. Dillon Brooks is out with a left hand fracture, Jordan Goodwin is sidelined due to a left calf strain, and Mark Williams is unavailable with a left foot injury. Grayson Allen is listed as probable with a right knee issue, but the team will rely heavily on Devin Booker, who remains their top scoring threat.#charlotte_hornets #phoenix_suns #la_melo_ball #devin_booker #miles_bridges
