Lamelo Ball Draws Backlash for Saying Diaper Duty is His Girlfriend’s Job

WHO:

TMZ - LaMelo Ball is described as an NBA star and a Minnesota Timberwolves guard.

Sportskeeda - LaMelo Ball is described as an NBA player and a father.

TMZ - Ernie Johnson spoke with Ball in an exchange on ESPN.

TMZ - Ball referred to his child’s mother as his “baby mama.”

Sportskeeda - NBA fans criticized Ball’s comments, with the article headline characterizing their response as “Childish & Immature.”

WHAT:

NY Post - Ball said, “My girl do all that. It’s love, for sure.”

TMZ - Ball said changing his son’s diapers was not his job and that he was leaving diaper duty to the child’s mother.

TMZ - The article said Ball could “dish out assists all day long” but was leaving diaper-changing duties to his child’s mother.

Sportskeeda - Ball’s comments about his role as a father went viral on social media.

Sportskeeda - The article said NBA fans slammed Ball for saying it was his girlfriend’s job to change their child’s diapers.

WHERE:

NY Post - Ball made the statement to the hosts of “Inside the NBA.”

TMZ - The exchange between Ball and Ernie Johnson took place during an ESPN segment.

Sportskeeda - The article discussed reactions on social media.

WHY:

Sportskeeda - The article said Ball’s comments went viral ahead of his highly anticipated debut with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

HOW:

TMZ - Ball made the diaper-duty comment during an exchange with Ernie Johnson on ESPN.

Sportskeeda - Fans responded by criticizing Ball on social media.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 20:19 UTC)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball is facing criticism after saying diaper changes are his girlfriend’s responsibility. During an exchange with Ernie Johnson on ESPN, Ball said changing his son’s diapers was not his job and that he was leaving the duty to the child’s mother, whom he called his “baby mama.” Speaking to the hosts of “Inside the NBA,” Ball added, “My girl do all that. It’s love, for sure.” His comments about fatherhood spread widely on social media, where NBA fans criticized his remarks. The backlash came as Ball’s debut with the Timberwolves was highly anticipated. Ball is also a father, and the criticism centered on his description of his role in caring for his child.

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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:24 UTC)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball is facing criticism after saying on ESPN that changing his son’s diapers was not his job. In an exchange with broadcaster Ernie Johnson, Ball said he was leaving diaper duty to the child’s mother, whom he referred to as his “baby mama.” The comments about his role as a father quickly spread across social media. NBA fans criticized Ball, with some describing his remarks as childish and immature. Others condemned his claim that changing their child’s diapers was his girlfriend’s responsibility. Ball, an NBA star and father, made the comments ahead of his highly anticipated debut with the Timberwolves. His remarks have drawn widespread attention online, where fans continue to debate his comments about parenting.