LaMelo Ball’s season is ended, the Charlotte Hornets confirmed Thursday. The 22-year-old guard has not played since January 26 and is out with right ankle tendinopathy. With less than three weeks left in the regular season, Ball will continue to rehab his injuries.
Ball first injured his ankle on November 26 in Orlando. He missed the next 20 games, returned to play seven, and has been out since. He will finish the season with averages of 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 32.2 minutes; combined with a true shooting percentage of 56.1% and a usage rate of 31.5%, these numbers represent the best production of his career, but there is a catch: he only appeared in 22 games.
This is Ball’s second consecutive season cut short by ankle injuries. He appeared in 36 games in 2022-23 due to three different ankle injuries, including a broken right ankle that necessitated season-ending surgery. The Hornets finished 27-55 that season and 18-54 this season.
In his 711 minutes in 2023-24, Ball demonstrated that he was a better player than when he made the All-Star team in 2022 and earned Rookie of the Year in 2021. He’s gotten better at pick-and-roll, scoring inside the arc, and drawing fouls. This remained unnoticed, however, because he was unable to stay on the floor.
If there is a silver lining to this story, it is that if Ball can resolve his ankle issues (as Stephen Curry did), Charlotte might improve swiftly. His injuries last season enabled the organisation to choose Brandon Miller with the second overall pick, and his ailments this season have allowed Miller to expand his offensive game. Miller, 21, averaged 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists as a rookie and possesses real star potential. In June, the Hornets’ new front staff, led by Jeff Peterson, will have the opportunity to strengthen their core with another high lottery pick.
