Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game in Houston and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, the team announced (via Twitter).
According to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter link), Ball was stepped on by teammate P.J. Washington, which apparently caused the sprain. Ball went back to the locker room before being ruled out.
Unfortunately, this is the third time Ball has sprained his left ankle in 2022/23. His first ankle injury occurred during a preseason game on October 10 and he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain the following day.
Ball missed the first 13 games of the regular season with the injury, then re-injured his ankle in his third game back on November 16. He missed an additional 11 games while recovering from the second sprain before returning to action last month.
A first-time All-Star in ’21/22, Ball is putting up big numbers in his third season, averaging 24.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 8.4 APG and 1.1 SPG on .415/.374/.870 shooting through 21 games (34.8 MPG). The Hornets have struggled both with and without him, however, as they’re 6-16 in games he’s played and 6-18 when he hasn’t, for an overall record of 12-34.
If Ball misses additional time, look for players like Dennis Smith Jr. and Bryce McGowens to get more minutes.
Overrated
I’ll take him!……..signed, dubs fan
Overrated?! How’d you come to that conclusion? Lol. His stat line clearly wasn’t it. If it’s because he’s injured, you must have a long list of players you feel are “overrated” then.
Damn pj
Shut it down Melo, get that ankle strong for next year!
This feels like tanking
10.8 3pa/gm holy hell.
He is walking give up a bucket too. His D is terrible. If Jordan is dumb enough to give him a max contract he will regret it.
You absolutely offer him a max contract. I think you’re being a little over critical of his defense. Even if it was “terrible” though, you don’t let an offensive player of that caliber get away. You build around him for fit.
We shall see what the hornets do!
FRAGILE, he must be Italian.
“its gotta be the shoes”