In a significant blow to the Charlotte Hornets, their talented guard LaMelo Ball is set to be sidelined for multiple weeks due to a right ankle sprain. The injury occurred during Sunday night’s game against the Orlando Magic, with ESPN and The Athletic confirming the news following an MRI. This setback comes as a disappointment for Ball, who had already missed a considerable portion of the previous season due to a fractured right ankle.
Charlotte Hornets Suffer Setback: LaMelo Ball Sidelines for Weeks with Ankle Sprain
The incident took place late in the second quarter when Ball executed a left-handed layup over Magic forward Paolo Banchero. Unfortunately, upon landing, the 22-year-old guard appeared to twist his right leg awkwardly, necessitating assistance to the locker room. This injury is particularly unfortunate for Ball, as he has been enjoying a career-high season, impressing with averages of 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in the 15 games he has played, all of which he started.
LaMelo Ball was averaging 32.2 PTS, 8.7 AST, 6.7 REB in his previous 9 games before the injurypic.twitter.com/oZnbgNX5oD
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 28, 2023
Ball’s injury history includes missing a significant portion of the 2020-2021 season due to a fractured right ankle. He was ruled out for the remainder of that season in February. Additionally, his rookie season was marred by various injuries, limiting him to only 51 games.
Since being chosen as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball has emerged as a key player for the Charlotte Hornets. In his 177 games, with 157 of them as a starter, he has showcased his talents, averaging 19.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. With Ball’s absence, the Hornets will face the challenge of navigating upcoming games without his significant contributions on the court.
The Charlotte Hornets will undoubtedly miss LaMelo Ball’s playmaking abilities, scoring prowess, and overall impact as they strive to maintain their competitiveness in the league. The team will need to rely on the depth of their roster and the collective effort of their players to fill the void left by Ball’s absence.
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As the weeks progress, the Hornets will eagerly await his return, hoping for a swift recovery and a seamless reintegration into the team’s lineup.
