The 2022-23 season has been a tough one for the Charlotte Hornets, who are among the worst teams in the NBA. They are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the fewest number of wins in the NBA with only seven and injuries are a big reason why.
The Pistons announced this week that their star point guard, Cade Cunningham, will undergo season-ending surgery. Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, will have his sophomore season cut short after only 12 games.
That is four times as many games as Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball has played in, but at least Ball will be returning to the court.
Ball started the season on the sidelines because of an ankle injury suffered during the preseason. He missed the first 13 games of the season before making his debut. Ball played in three games before suffering another ankle sprain, this time from stepping on a fan’s foot that was sitting courtside.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
After missing 11 games because of that, Ball is nearing a return. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, that return could come tonight against the Detroit Pistons. Ball has been upgraded to questionable and is hopeful that he can get on the court. A decision about his status will be made during warm-ups, where it will be decided if he is ready to play.
That is certainly encouraging news for the Hornets, who have struggled mightily without him in the lineup. Charlotte has also been playing without his backup, Dennis Smith Jr., who has not played since November 23rd.
Without their two point guards, Steve Clifford has turned to Theo Maledon and Bryce McGowens in the backcourt with Terry Rozier handling point guard duties. Gordon Hayward has also been sidelined plenty, leaving the Hornets without much to work with.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Getting Ball back in the lineup will be a huge boost, at least offensively. The Hornets are currently last in the NBA in offensive rating after finishing ninth last season. In his three appearances, Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 32.7 minutes per game.
