HomeNews WireWATCH: NBA Star LaMelo Ball Caught Smoking a Blunt Leading Up to Playoffs Mike April 13, 2022 The Charlotte Hornets have a huge game coming up tonight against the Atlanta Hawks in the "play-in" game for the NBA Playoffs. Hours before the game, video footage of LaMelo Ball smoking a blunt surfaced. People handle pressure and big moments in all different ways. For LaMelo, it's by blazing one up. Check it out: LaMelo Ball smoking a blunt pic.twitter.com/34GgbFptTL — Bacon, Grits, Eggs (@reddawg77089) April 13, 2022 Last year the NBA implemented a policy to stop random drug testing for marijuana during the COVID-19 "restart bubble." This year, the policy has remained in place. Players won’t be subject to random tests for marijuana this season, according to @NBPA memo shared w/ players and obtained by ESPN. That’s been adjusted policy thru Orlando restart and 2020-‘21 season. Testing continues for “drugs of abuse and performance enhancing substances.” — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 6, 2021 This is the first playoff berth for the Hornets since 2015-2016. In 75 games this season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting a career-high 38.9% from 3-point range. He had a strong sophomore season to follow up his Rookie of the Year honors.