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On Tuesday, Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball struggled against the Denver Nuggets, producing his fourth-lowest scoring game of the season in a 117-112 loss.
Ball totaled just five points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field in 31 minutes of work. While he had just five points, Ball also contributed 12 rebounds, which were two off of his career-high, and seven assists. Overall, though, it was one of his most inconsistent outings of the season.
To make matters worse, Ball picked up a rather odd technical foul in the third quarter.
The sequence unfolded when Ball drew a foul on offense. After the whistle, he continued to drive toward the basket as his momentum carried him into an official. To prevent a collision, the official grabbed Ball to slow him down but Ball aggressively swiped his hand away.
LaMelo Ball got a tech for moving the ref’s hand 😳 pic.twitter.com/b2H4x133pZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2021
Of course, players are not permitted to make contact with an official. The aggressive nature of Ball moving James Williams’ hand drew the technical foul and the free throw for the Nuggets. Ball was not happy with the call but it was the right one.
While the call may have been right, issuing it at that moment seemed a bit odd and that likely was what Ball was arguing with Williams. Every technical foul is reviewed by the NBA so it is possible that the league office will rescind it.
In any case, Ball should remember that the next time he is in a similar situation…
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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