Charlotte Hornets standout LaMelo Ball had to be aided off the court after suffering a right ankle injury during Sunday’s loss in Orlando. The team announced (via Twitter) that Ball had strained his ankle and would not be returning, but did not provide further post-game updates.
According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, Ball attempted a left-handed layup just before halftime and got tangled with Paolo Banchero. Ball landed awkwardly, collapsed in pain, and was assisted to the locker room, unable to bear much weight on his right foot.
Boone noted that it’s the same ankle that Ball had surgery on in March, resulting in an extended recovery that kept him from being cleared for full basketball activities until a few weeks before training camp. Since then, Ball has been wearing ankle braces for added support, Boone mentioned.
Injuries have plagued the talented point guard since Charlotte selected him in 2020. Boone pointed out that he has not completed a full season in any of his four years in the league and was limited to 36 games last season due to four ankle injuries.
The injury comes at an especially inconvenient time as Ball has been posting some of the finest statistics of his career, averaging 33.8 PPG over his past five games. According to Boone, he has recorded at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in seven consecutive games and is one of seven players in the entire NBA achieving at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal per night.
With a disappointing start at 5-10 already, the Hornets are at risk of further sliding out of the Eastern Conference play-in race if the injury compels Ball to miss significant time. Ball was injured on the same evening that
Terry Rozier made his return after a nine-game absence due to a groin strain, while coach Steve Clifford discussed the team’s vulnerability to injuries.
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