Hornets' LaMelo Ball Catches 'Hell Nah' Stray from Teammate Moussa Diabate

Diabate says he'll never ride in a car driven by the Hornets star due to Ball's notoriously bad driving skills.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:30am

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball's driving skills have become a running joke among his teammates, with center Moussa Diabate the latest to take a hilarious stray at Ball's expense. In an interview, Diabate flatly stated he has never and will never ride in a car driven by Ball, citing the 24-year-old's history of questionable decisions behind the wheel.

Why it matters

Ball's driving has become a source of concern, with the young star recently involved in a car accident in Uptown Charlotte. While no one was hurt, the incident has only added to the perception that Ball needs to improve his skills on the road. As the Hornets push for a playoff spot, they'll need Ball's on-court production, but his off-court antics could become a distraction if they continue.

The details

During an appearance on the 'Zach Lowe Show', Diabate was asked if he's ever been a passenger in a car driven by Ball. The 24-year-old center emphatically responded, 'Hell naw, never will.' Diabate referenced a previous 'incident' involving Ball, likely referring to the February car accident where Ball's custom Hummer crashed into another vehicle in Charlotte. While no one was injured, the accident has only heightened concerns about Ball's driving abilities.

  • On February 19, 2026, Ball played in the Hornets' next game after the car accident, which ended in a 105-101 loss to the Houston Rockets.
  • The Hornets have 9 regular season games remaining after their March 30th contest against the New York Knicks.

The players

LaMelo Ball

A 24-year-old guard for the Charlotte Hornets who is known for his flashy play on the court but has developed a reputation for questionable decision-making behind the wheel.

Moussa Diabate

A 24-year-old center for the Charlotte Hornets who recently took a hilarious 'stray' at his teammate LaMelo Ball's notoriously bad driving skills.

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What they’re saying

“Hell naw, never will. Nah, it's cool though. I mean, I don't know, he had that one incident that happened. But yeah, nah. I haven't [ridden in Ball's car].”

— Moussa Diabate, Hornets Center

What’s next

The Hornets will need to lean on LaMelo Ball's on-court production as they push for a playoff spot in the final stretch of the regular season. However, Ball's off-court antics, including his questionable driving skills, could become a distraction if they continue.

The takeaway

LaMelo Ball's driving skills have become a running joke among his Hornets teammates, with center Moussa Diabate the latest to take a hilarious stray at Ball's expense. This incident highlights the growing concerns around Ball's behavior off the court, which could become a distraction as the Hornets fight for a playoff berth.