Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has suffered a serious sprain in his right ankle and is likely to miss extended time, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Ball fractured his right ankle last season. While the All-Star didn’t suffer another fracture, he’s currently in a walking boot and the Hornets are expected to be cautious with him.
Ball is averaging 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists on the season for the Hornets while shooting 44.3% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hornets signed Ball to a five-year, $205 million extension this past offseason. Ball has career averages of 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award and made the 2022 All-Star team.
During an interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype in October, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was asked to speak about Ball. During the conversation, Clifford showered Ball with high praise.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s so unique in my time, just because of what you said, size, speed, quickness, and then shot creation and shot-making,” Clifford said about Ball. “He’s a terrific worker. He only got to play 36 games last year. He was coming off a significant injury, and he crushed it this summer.
“I think, obviously, our vision for him (Ball) is to be the elite point guard in the league or one of the two or three best point guards in the league, which he obviously has the talent to do. He has the work ethic to do it.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hornets are only 5-10 on the season. They will struggle to win games now that Ball is out.
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