LaMelo Ball fractured his right ankle in a non-contact injury that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the Charlotte Hornets’ season.
The injury occurred during the Hornets’ win over the Detroit Pistons amidst a surge from Charlotte which has seen the franchise win 5 consecutive games with Ball averaging 25.4 points, 10.2 assists, and 8.2 rebounds in this stretch.
The injury occurred while LaMelo was attempting a behind-the-back dribble move and took an awkward step onto his right ankle.
LaMelo Ball headed back to the locker room after awkwardly falling on this play. pic.twitter.com/wirzYaHCZN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 28, 2023
The injury being a right ankle fracture was confirmed by Shams Charania not long after Ball was taken off the court.
Hornets‘ LaMelo Ball has suffered a fractured right ankle.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
LaMelo Ball spent 213 days recovering from an ankle injury, which was aggravated when he stepped on a fan’s foot. He also suffered a minor shoulder injury in December that caused him to miss time. This fracture may spell the end for LaMelo’s season where he’s played in just 36 games so far. He is averaging 23.3 points, 8.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds this season.
The Hornets Hoping For A Savior In The 2023 NBA Draft
There’s nothing to play for in Charlotte, especially with LaMelo now injured. The team made the play-in tournament for consecutive seasons before taking a big step backward this season. They had a dreadful offseason and now have among the worst records in the league.
The Rockets, Pistons, and Spurs will likely occupy the three-best positions in the lottery but the Hornets have a realistic shot at getting Victor Wembanyama. If Ball manages to return healthy next season, that would be one of the scariest duos in the NBA. Even drafting someone like Brandon Miller could give the team a massive boost, as they don’t have many other ways to improve their roster in the short term.
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