The star point guard evaded a suspension, instead being handed a flagrant foul and $60,000 worth of fines by the NBA on Wednesday in wake of multiple incidents against the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
At the centre of the controversy was a play where Ball swiped at Heat star Bam Adebayo’s ankles while he was falling. Adebayo was injured on the play and did not return to the game, which the Hornets won 127-126 in overtime.
Ball was not initially called for a foul, but the NBA upgraded it to a flagrant 2 upon review Wednesday while also doling out $35,000 of the fine.
Ball apologized after the game and said he was disoriented on the play after getting hit in the head seconds before on a drive to the basket.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said Ball should have been ejected.
Ball took the further $25,000 hit to his wallet for swearing during a post-game interview on live TV.
–with files from The Associated Press
