LaMelo Ball has once again reminded NBA fans why he’s one of the league’s most exciting young stars this season. However, his journey hit another bump in the road after he suffered an injury during Monday night’s game against the Lakers. This setback couldn’t come at a worse time for the Hornets star, who’s been having the best season of his career so far.
What happened to LaMelo Ball?
In the second quarter of the game, Ball rolled his left ankle after sinking a three-pointer. While stepping back, he accidentally landed on Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s foot, causing him to twist his ankle. He initially tried to push through the pain but was subbed out shortly after, gingerly making his way to the locker room.
Shortly after, the Hornets announced that Ball would not return for the rest of the game due to an ankle sprain. Head coach Charles Lee provided a post-game update, saying that Ball is still being evaluated but praised his leadership and engagement with the team from the sidelines despite the injury.
This marks the third time this season Ball has faced an issue with his left leg, having already missed 12 games due to injuries to his left calf, left ankle, and right wrist.
Before his injury, Ball was putting up MVP-caliber numbers, averaging a career-high 28.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game with shooting splits of 51.3% from the field, 33.4% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the free-throw line. These impressive stats earned him the top spot in fan voting for Eastern Conference guards in the All-Star race. However, he narrowly missed out on being named a starter due to insufficient media votes.
Now, his participation in the upcoming All-Star Game is in doubt following this latest setback.
The impact on the Hornets
The Hornets have struggled this season, sitting at 14th place in the Eastern Conference with one of the worst records in the league. They are five games behind the Chicago Bulls for the final Play-In Tournament spot. Losing Ball for any extended period would deal a huge blow to their already slim playoff hopes, especially with rookie standout Brandon Miller (wrist) sidelined for the remainder of the season. The team is quickly running out of reliable offensive weapons.
What’s next for the Hornets?
Charlotte faces an uphill battle to keep their season alive. Following their 112-107 loss to the Lakers, the Hornets have five consecutive home games ahead, followed by a three-game road trip leading into the All-Star break. Here’s a look at their upcoming schedule:
- Wed., Jan. 29 vs. Nets (7:00 PM ET)
- Fri., Jan. 31 vs. Clippers (7:00 PM ET)
- Sat., Feb. 1 vs. Nuggets (7:00 PM ET)
- Mon., Feb. 3 vs. Wizards (7:00 PM ET)
- Wed., Feb. 5 vs. Spurs (7:00 PM ET)
- Sun., Feb. 9 @ Pistons (1:00 PM ET)
- Mon., Feb. 10 @ Nets (7:30 PM ET)
- Wed., Feb. 12 @ Magic (7:00 PM ET)
If Ball is sidelined for any length of time, it will be tough for the Hornets to compete, but fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for the young star who’s been the heart and soul of their team.