Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball exitedMonday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter due to a left ankle injury. The incident occurred shortly after Ball drained a 3-pointer off one foot; as he was backpedaling down the court, he inadvertently stepped on Jarred Vanderbilt’s foot. This caused him to lose balance and fall backward, striking his head against the hardwood floor. Although he managed to get up, Ball quickly fouled intentionally to halt the game clock and then made his way to the locker room with a noticeable limp, but under his own power.
Before the injury, Ball had recorded seven points in just nine minutes of play. The Hornets ultimately lost the game 112-107. Head coach Charles Lee informed reporters postgame that he did not have any immediate updates concerning Ball’s condition or the potential timeline for his return.
This is not the first time LaMelo Ball has faced challenges with ankle injuries since being selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Over the course of his career, he has missed a troubling 158 games due to various injuries. This season, he had been diligent about wearing ankle braces as a precautionary measure. Despite his promising performance this season, averaging a career-best 28.9 points per game, he was notably not named an All-Star starter despite leading all Eastern Conference guards in voting.
The Hornets will need to monitor Ball’s situation closely, as his absence could significantly impact their performance moving forward. Fans will be hopeful for a swift recovery, as he remains a pivotal player for the team. Overall, his resilience and talent continue to shine despite the setbacks.