“Most Intense Rivalry in the League” – NBA Fans Mock LaMelo Ball After Hornets Star Held Back From Fighting $14,336,172 Wizards Wing

Things escalated quickly between the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night when, roughly five minutes into the game, LaMelo Ball was shoved while attacking the basket. The contact caused Ball to spring up angrily, and teammates had to step in to restrain him as tensions briefly boiled over.

Wizards wing Kyshawn George, who delivered the shove, was assessed a flagrant 1 foul. Ball split his free throws but tracked down his miss and knocked down a 3-pointer, helping the Hornets maintain their strong early momentum.

The moment sparked plenty of ridicule from fans online, with many poking fun at the confrontation and Ball’s reaction, suggesting it was an unnecessary feud that lacked real substance.

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“Most intense rivalry in the league,” one fan said sarcastically. “LaMelo was not going to do anything 😭😭,” another said. “Basketball has got to be the softest sport. ‘Mugged,’” another commented.

Several fans praised Sion James, who helped hold back Ball after the play.

It remains unclear whether George, who is in the fourth year of a $14,336,172 rookie contract, will be fined. Under NBA rules, a flagrant 1 is defined as unnecessary contact and results in two free throws and possession for the opposing team, but it does not automatically trigger a fine.

Any discipline beyond that is left to the commissioner’s discretion and is typically reserved for more serious or repeat offenses.

LaMelo Ball focused on strength and conditioning entering 2025-26 season

Standing at 6-foot-7 with a lean frame, LaMelo Ball reportedly made a concerted effort to address his physique by emphasizing strength and conditioning entering the 2025-26 season.

According to Roundtable.io, an anonymous NBA executive said Ball’s most recent offseason was the hardest he has worked on his body since entering the league.

"I heard LaMelo took his strength and conditioning very seriously this summer for the first time since the Hornets drafted him," the NBA executive said. "I don't know if that's going to help him from hurting his ankles again, it seems like he just has fragile ankles, but it's definitely a good sign that he's taking his body seriously."

While LaMelo Ball has often been dynamic when healthy, injuries have continued to be a concern, and he has gotten off to a slow start this season.

Through his first 19 games, Ball is averaging 19.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 39.6% overall, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 87.9% from the free-throw line.

Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro