Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball got some unfortunate news last night after leaving the game with a right ankle injury. Ball asked the coaching staff to remove him once he rolled it. Later in the night, the training staff and organization found out that he suffered a fracture in the ankle.
This will now sideline him for the rest of the year, as the team announced. Ball has had issues with his ankles all season long. Specifically, the left ankle has sidelined him twice this year with sprains.
On the bright side of this news, the Hornets are nearing elimination from playoff and play-in contention. They are still well within the realm of possibly being in the hunt for the number one overall pick and landing Victor Wembenyama.
Without Ball on the court, it will make Charlotte less competitive. An injury by no means is something positive. However, if this could lead to an opportunity to pair Ball with Wembenyama, Scoot Henderson, or Brandon Miller, then there could be some light at the end of the tunnel for Ball and the Hornets.
NBA INJURY NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Charlotte is 20-43 overall and 9.5 games back of the ten seed, which would get them into a play-in spot. They are 14th in the Eastern Conference behind the Pistons. They have the 4th worst record in the NBA. LaMelo Ball will end his season averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.
The Hornets are currently on a three-game winning streak. They have played the best stretch of basketball they have played all season long.
NBA INJURY NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Charlotte will now look to lean on Terry Rozier and rookie Mark Williams, out of Duke, who has been a bright spot since he was inserted into the starting lineup after the Mason Plumlee trade.
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