The Hornets’ locker room got chaotic after LaMelo Ball came off the bench on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers.
Per ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, it seems like the situation can blow up anytime, as Charlotte’s franchise cornerstone is beefing hard with head coach Charles Lee. The tension hit a breaking point after back-to-back very close losses against the Raptors and Pacers.
Kendrick Perkins Reveals LaMelo Ball Cursed Out Coach in Post-Game Tirade
Perkins cited sources inside the Hornets organization, saying Ball and Lee are at war behind the scenes. The former Rookie of the Year completely lost his mind after that heartbreaking Raptors defeat, throwing an F-bomb about his head coach in the arena hallway.
“Those two guys don’t see eye-to-eye,” Perkins said. “I’m telling straight up this as a fact, the energy is not there, (and) the coach feels as if LaMelo is not his guy. We’re talking about a guy who is the face of your franchise, a guy who puts butts in the seats, a guy who sells shoes, and for not for naught, you move him to the bench?”
He added, “My sources tell me that LaMelo, after a game, yelled in the hallway, ‘F— this m—–ker,’ about the coach. They are not on the same page.”
Kendrick Perkins Alleges Altercation between Charles Lee and Lamelo Ball after Raptors game Whoa!! pic.twitter.com/Em0PaeybOZ
— LiTHoUsE (@ReVLiTHoUSe) January 10, 2026
Against Toronto, Ball gave Hornets a two-point lead with a layup in the final seconds but Immanuel Quickley hit a buzzer-beating three to steal a 97–96 win for the Raptors.
The very next game brought much bitter twists and turns. Head coach Lee benched Ball for the first time since his rookie season. He still finished with 33 points and eight assists off the bench, but Charlotte lost again when Collin Sexton missed a potential tying shot in a 114–112 loss to Indiana.
Perkins believes Charlotte faces a critical decision, saying they must either trade LaMelo or fire Lee because the relationship appears unsalvageable. Although Lee praised Ball’s “selflessness” for accepting the bench role, behind closed doors the relationship is allegedly cooked.
But in the very recent game against the Utah Jazz, they pulled off a 150–95 blowout with Ball back in the starting five, raising questions among fans about the legitimacy of Parkins’ claims.
Fans React to Hornets’ Messy Situation
Folks on social media had plenty to say about Perkins’ explosive report. Fans questioned whether the veteran analyst was still watching Hornets games.
One fan wrote, “Perk ain’t watched a hornets game since the 90s idk why you listen to him.”
Another added, “He doing his best to break up this team lol.”
A third claimed, “It’s getting spooky, no wonder he fell to the floor in distraught all pissed off after the pacers game….”
The fourth shared, “I mean its charlotte he probably creating drama to get out.”
The timing couldn’t be more perplexing with the February trade deadline approaching fast. Ball is in year two of a fully guaranteed five-year, $203.8 million deal. Playoff teams like Minnesota, Miami, and Houston could use a top playmaker, but Charlotte’s asking price may be steep for a player whose production has dipped.
