The Charlotte Hornets had a tumultuous NBA offseason as nothing went in favor of the franchise. With just about a week until the regular season gets underway, the blows have continued coming.
On Monday night, the Hornets were playing their fourth preseason game of the year against the Washington Wizards. The Wizards suffered a loss when Kristaps Porzingis twisted his ankle in the second quarter, but they received positive news about it as Porzingis could have returned to the game in the second half. The news wasn’t as positive for Hornets star, LaMelo Ball.
The third-year point guard was driving to the basket when it looked like Anthony Gill stepped on his foot. Ball went to the ground and remained there for multiple minutes before hobbling to the free throw line and sinking both of his attempts. He exited the game immediately after that and headed to the locker room.
More tests were done and it was revealed that Ball did in fact suffer a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle. That is a tough blow for Charlotte, as Ball is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season.
With Ball set to miss time, the Hornets could be without their two best players from last season, as Miles Bridges remains unsigned. Bridges was arrested this offseason for felony domestic violence and child abuse, putting his NBA career in doubt after breaking out during the 2021-22 season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Ball and Bridged were an electrifying duo for the Hornets to build around, but the future of the franchise is now up in the air. While Ball will eventually return to the court this season, the same cannot be said about Bridges.
The Hornets open their regular season with a trip to the San Antonio Spurs on October 19th. If Ball is unable to go, Terry Rozier will shift over to the starting point guard spot according to head coach Steve Clifford.
“Terry was the starting point guard on a team (the Boston Celtics in 2017-18) that went to the Eastern Conference finals,” Clifford said. “It’s a role he is comfortable with and if that ends up being the situation, that is how we will do it.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Dennis Smith Jr. will also see increased playing time for as long as Ball is sidelined. Any time a player of Ball’s caliber is injured it is a massive blow for a team to overcome. Without him, the Charlotte Hornets have one of the weaker rosters in the NBA, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing this season with super prospect Victor Wembanyama awaiting whichever team wins the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.
