Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Undergoes surgery on wrist, ankle
Rotowire
The Hornets announced Wednesday that Ball has undergone successful surgeries on his right wrist and right ankle, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Ball is expected to resume full basketball activities in five to six weeks, which is a good sign for the Hornets moving forward. The rising star posted a strong 2024-25 campaign, averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out for season
Rotowire
Ball will miss the rest of the season while he soon undergoes two minor procedures to address ankle and wrist injuries, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The ankle issue looks to be the more pressing concern for Ball, who had been listed as out for Friday's game in Toronto due to a right ankle impingement. The fifth-year point guard is expected to be back to full health for the start of training camp in the fall. Ball played in 47 games this season, averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 3.8 three-pointers and 1.1 steals in 32.0 minutes per contest while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play vs. Toronto
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors.
After coming one assist shy of a double-double in Tuesday's loss to the Magic, Ball will miss Friday's matchup in Toronto. KJ Simpson could draw the start for this game, with Damion Baugh, Nick Smith and Seth Curry potentially seeing more time on the floor.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 25 points, fouls out
Rotowire
Ball ended with 25 points (9-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), one rebound and nine assists over 29 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 111-104 loss to the Magic.
Ball fouled out in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in another loss for the Hornets, but the star floor general continues to make a significant impact on both ends of the court for a struggling Charlotte team. Ball has been instrumental for the Hornets all season long as a scorer or playmaker. While the lack of efficiency from a shooting perspective can impact his value in some formats, he remains an excellent fantasy asset. He has a very high ceiling whenever he's deemed available due to his sky-high usage rate. He's averaging 21.5 points, 8.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game since the beginning of March.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-doubles in loss to Miami
Rotowire
Ball finished Sunday's 122-105 loss to the Heat with 18 points (6-19 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, 11 assists and two steals across 34 minutes.
Ball didn't play against the Thunder on Friday but returned to action Sunday and notched another double-double, his third across his last six appearances. The star floor general remains one of the Hornets' most reliable fantasy options, but his upside can be somewhat limited due to the resting patterns the Hornets might employ in the final weeks of the regular season. Ball is averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game over his last 10 appearances.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Removed from injury report
Rotowire
Ball (rest) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Heat.
Ball will get back on the floor for the Hornets on Sunday after resting during Friday's loss to the Thunder. The star guard has struggled in the shooting department this season but is otherwise having a career year, averaging a career-high 25.4 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Ball (rest) will not play Friday against the Thunder.
Ball recorded 25 points (10-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt), five rebounds and eight assists across 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York, and now he'll sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set for injury management as per usual. The Hornets will be very shorthanded Friday, meaning guys like Nick Smith, Josh Green, DaQuan Jeffries and Wendell Moore could see healthy workloads.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Comes close to double-double
Rotowire
Ball produced 25 points (10-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt), five rebounds and eight assists over 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over New York.
Ball didn't have his best performance in this win, but the electric point guard finished just two assists away from a double-double while putting up solid numbers in the rebounding category. Ball, who returned from a one-game absence, has reached the 25-point mark in three of his last four regular-season appearances. He should remain a key contributor on offense for the Hornets as long as he remains on the hardwood -- Ball hasn't been playing both halves of back-to-back sets in March.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play against Atlanta
Rotowire
Ball (wrist) is out for Tuesday's game versus the Hawks.
Ball has been downgraded from questionable to out Tuesday due to right wrist soreness. Damion Baugh, Nick Smith, Wendell Moore, and Marcus Garrett could all see increased playing time in his absence. Ball's next chance to suit up is Thursday's matchup with the Knicks.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Expected to face Atlanta on Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball (wrist) is probable for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.
Ball has dealt with several injuries throughout the 2024-25 campaign, which has led to the Hornets managing his playing time. However, the star point guard is expected to suit up for his fifth consecutive contest Tuesday, despite dealing with right wrist soreness. Over his last four outings, Ball has averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 assists, 3.5 three-pointers, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 31.5 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) isn't listed on Charlotte's injury report for Monday's game against the Heat.
After resting Saturday during the second half of a back-to-back, Ball will return to action Monday. Over his last four appearances, Ball has averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 31.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will play Friday
Rotowire
Ball has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Ball recorded a double-double for the Hornets the last time he was on the floor, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves. The rising star is averaging a career-high 26.2 points this season, with 5.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Charlotte.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Likely to play Friday
Rotowire
Ball (illness) has been listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Ball popped up on the injury report Thursday as he is battling an illness. However, he is trending toward playing. The one-time All-Star is coming off an impressive performance in Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: All-around performance in loss
Rotowire
Ball contributed 25 points (8-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-8 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes in Monday's 119-101 loss to Golden State.
Ball did a little bit of everything in Monday's contest, leading all Hornets in assists while finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounds in a well-rounded showcase. Ball hauled in nine or more boards for the fifth time, and he has recorded at least 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on four occasions.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Puts up 20 points in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) recorded 20 points (7-19 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and three assists across 32 minutes Saturday in the Hornets' 113-100 loss to the Wizards.
Back in action after missing the previous two contests due to right ankle soreness, Ball didn't face any obvious limitations in his return but wasn't particularly efficient, as he turned the ball over six times and shot 36.8 percent from the field. Given the 14-45 Hornets' place in the standings, Ball seems like a good bet to be rested for one half of back-to-back sets for the remainder of the season, and it wouldn't be surprising if he was occasionally held out for standalone games, too.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out Thursday with sore ankle
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with Dallas.
Ball's most recent absence in Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors came in the second leg of a back-to-back set and was attributed to right ankle injury management, but he'll miss a standalone contest Thursday with what the Hornets are labeling as right ankle soreness. The point guard will head to the sideline for the 22nd time in 58 games on the season, and he could get more frequent games off in the final six weeks of the campaign while the 14-43 Hornets' playoff odds continue to drop.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Questionable Thursday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.
After missing Tuesday's loss to the Warriors, Ball could miss Thursday's matchup in Dallas due to right ankle soreness. KJ Simpson replaced the one-time All-Star in the starting lineup against Golden State, which might be how Charlotte goes against the Mavericks.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Woeful in loss Saturday
Rotowire
Ball amassed five points (1-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes during Saturday's 141-88 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Ball had easily his worst performance of the season as the Hornets were played off the court by the Trail Blazers. Charlotte is once again playing for lottery balls following another underwhelming season, meaning Ball's availability could be spotty moving forward. He will continue to facilitate the offense when healthy, but as we saw here, the team's motivation could do with some tweaking.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Fades injury report
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Portland.
Ball was held out of Thursday's loss to the Nuggets due to right ankle injury management, but it appears the star point guard should be able to suit up Saturday. He's averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game this season along with 7.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals over 32.7 minutes. Ball's return will likely lead to Elfrid Payton retreating to the bench.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Ball is out for Thursday's game against the Nuggets due to right ankle injury management.
Charlotte is on the second night of a back-to-back, so Ball and Mark Williams (conditioning) will both sit out following an upset victory over the Lakers. The absences should lead to more usage for Nick Smith, Seth Curry, Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate. Ball's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup at the Trail Blazers.
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