NOVEMBER 30: Ball will be reevaluated in one week after an MRI confirmed he suffered a right ankle sprain, according to a release from the team.
NOVEMBER 28: Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball has a severely sprained right ankle and will likely miss extended time, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links).
While the ankle isn’t fractured, a cautious approach is expected for a player who has been riddled with injuries in his young career. Ball had surgery on the same ankle last season. He’s currently in a walking boot and on crutches, per Charania.
Ball had already been ruled out Tuesday’s in-season tournament game against the Knicks. He needed assistance to leave the court on Sunday after being injured against Orlando.
Ball landed awkwardly while attempting a left-handed layup shortly before halftime of that contest when he got tangled up with Paolo Banchero.
Ball was limited to 36 games last season because of four ankle injuries. He had gotten off to a strong start this fall — 24.7 points, 8.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. He scored 30 points or more in seven of his last 10 games.
Ball signed a five-year max extension during the summer. Ball’s starting salary on the new deal will pay him at least 25% of the 2024/25 cap. There is reportedly Rose Rule language in the contract that could increase that figure to 30% of the cap if Ball earns All-NBA honors this season. A lengthy absence would almost certainly dash those hopes, given the 65-game minimum requirement for major awards this seasono.
Without Ball, Hornets guards Ish Smith, Theo Maledon and James Bouknight could all see a bump in playing time.
Can’t blame it on the Big Baller shoes. Seems like the Ball bros just weren’t built for durability.
They may have not been built for durability, but both got the ink dry on their 2nd contract before the injuries became a real question mark.
So did Ben Simmons… what is the point here?
They all got paid
He just said they’re injury prone, why y’all worried about their pockets?
Athletes of the past understood playing within the limits of their body, today they don’t care as long as they make the highlight reels. Showboats getting hurt, whodathunkit?
Man talk about a ridiculous take, you realize he got injured on a layup right? Or do you consider a layup playing outside the limits of his body?
Sucks. Hope he helps up fast.
Oh, man!
That’s awful, LaMelo is one of the best and most entertaining players in the game, absolutely love to watch him play!
I hope he can come back very soon!
Time to start tanking if you weren’t already….
I’d be looking at teams that could be willing to give up a first round pick in order to get better and there’s none better that he Memphis Grizzlies right now.
Id offer them
Miles Bridges and James Bouknight for Luke Kennard and there 2024 first round pick.
They might say no simply cause Bridges and Bouknight both have off the court issues as does Ja and they don’t like that pairing. But in terms of on the court Ja Bane Bridges JJJ that’s deadly. No better value for money contract than Bridges who’s currently on 8mil but putting up 20-8-3 shooting 41% from 3.
Then secondly I’d try the Miami Heat. They aren’t off to the worst start and aren’t really a regular season team but they still seem like they need to do something.
Id try Kyle Lowry and a 1st for Terry Rozier, Caleb Martin and a second or two.
Terrys a step up from Kyle, Martin links with his brother and gives them depth plus they get seconds which they do well with.
Then you finish out the year looking like
Lowry Kennard Miller Washington Williams
Maledon/Smith Smith Thor Hayward Richards
I don’t hate that line up either. Kyle is a good veteran playmaker, which gives direction. Kennard provides great spacing, Miller gets a great opportunity to star. Washington gets to play a big part in the offence. Hayward can lead the second unit and Nick Smith Jr gets good minutes.
Come the offseason you have Lowry and Hayward both leaving on expiring deals which frees up money to spend in FA. Plus you have 3 first round picks with your own, Memphis and Miami. At a guess I’d say top 5, 10-15 range and around 20th.
Following season you’ve got LaMelo, Miller and another top 5 pick, that’s your elite young core. You’ve got 60+ mil in cap space to splash, still got good role players in Kennard, Washington and so on. Seems like the smartest thing to do anyway
As a Hornets fan, I like your ideas. The only issue I see, as you already mentioned, I think it’s very likely Memphis says no. Bridges is a problem, and Bouknight just doesn’t have much value. Honestly, I’d be fine with Kennard and maybe two 2nds just to be rid of Bridges though.
The humble shall be exalted, the exalted shall be humbled