Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball cannot catch a break from the injury bug.
Just as Ball was starting to round into All-Star form after missing the end of the 2022-23 season with an ankle injury, the 22-year-old has gone down again. He suffered an injury to the same right ankle that limited him to 36 games last season in Charlotte's matchup against the Magic on Sunday, Nov. 26.
This could be a significant blow to the Hornets, as Ball was averaging 25.9 points, 8.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds over the first 14 games of the season.
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How serious is Ball's injury and when could he return to action? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
What is LaMelo Ball's injury?
Ball suffered sprained his right ankle in the second quarter of the Hornets' game against the Magic on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Ball was tightly guarded by Magic forward Paolo Banchero on a drive to the basket and landed awkwardly as he tried to finish a layup attempt. He came down with his weight on his right foot as Banchero's momentum toppled him over Ball.
LaMelo Ball was carried off the floor and to the locker room after landing awkwardly on this play. pic.twitter.com/Wo5DgLLX18
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 27, 2023
Ball had to be carried to the locker room and did not return to the contest. The Hornets initially ruled him out with a "right ankle strain," but later deemed the injury a right ankle sprain after an MRI.
How long will LaMelo Ball be out?
The Hornets announced on Nov. 30 that Ball has suffered a right ankle sprain and he will be re-evaluated in one week.
OFFICIAL: Further evaluation on guard LaMelo Ball revealed he suffered a right ankle sprain on Sunday, November 26 against Orlando. The injury was confirmed by an MRI and Ball will be reevaluated in one week.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 1, 2023
Read the full release: https://t.co/fzmp5mPbSK pic.twitter.com/Sdzzbgglzj
The Athletic's Shams Charania originally reported that Ball suffered a "serious sprain" in his right ankle which will likely cause him to miss "extended time," but the Hornets' latest update suggests the ailment may not be as serious as originally expected.
The injury is particularly concerning, though, because Ball fractured his right ankle last February, which required season-ending surgery and limited him to just 36 games. Charania added that Ball avoided a fracture this time but the injury has required him to be in a walking boot and on crutches.
Ball has struggled to stay healthy throughout his first four seasons in the NBA. A wrist injury cut his Rookie of the Year campaign short in 2020-21, then a nagging ankle injury cost him just seven games in 2021-22.
Ball was looking like an All-Star again prior to this ankle injury, averaging 32.2 points, 8.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals over his last nine games.
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Check back for updates as they become available.
Hornets upcoming schedule 2023
Here are the Hornets' next five games while they await the next update on Ball's ankle injury.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 2 | vs. Timberwolves | 5 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 6 | at Bulls | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 8 | vs. Raptors | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 11 | vs. Heat | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 13 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m. | — |