Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Expected to be ready for camp
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Coach Steve Clifford said Monday that he expects Ball (ankle) to be ready in time for training camp, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
This will be a relief for Charlotte fans, as Ball's ankle robbed him of the majority of his 2023-24 season. He made only 22 appearances, averaging 23.9 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.8 steals in 32.3 minutes. Ball told reporters that his ankle is feeling better, and he's looking forward to having the full offseason to prepare for 2024-25.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Shut down for season
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The Hornets announced Thursday that Ball (ankle) will miss the remainder of the season.
Ball hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to an injury the Hornets initially labeled as right ankle soreness before eventually updating his diagnosis as right ankle tendinopathy. Though head coach Steve Clifford suggested earlier this month that Ball was doing more work on the court, the Hornets weren't willing to put a timeline on his return to the court. Ultimately, Ball didn't demonstrate enough progress in his recovery from the right ankle injury to make it back for the final two-plus weeks of the season and will be shut down for the remainder of the campaign as he turns his focus to further rehab. Ball has now played just 58 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, but he was productive during his time on the court when healthy in 2023-24, as he averaged 23.9 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 three-pointers and 1.8 steals in 32.3 minutes per game over his 22 appearances. Provided he doesn't require any offseason procedures on his right ankle, Ball should be fully healed ahead of training camp in the fall.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Still out
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Ball (ankle) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Ball will miss his 29th straight game Wednesday while dealing with a left ankle injury. There is no indication that the 22-year-old guard is close to returning to action.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will remain sidelined Monday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Cavaliers.
Ball hasn't suited up since late January due to his ankle issue and doesn't yet have a timetable to return. It's unclear whether he'll be back on the court before the end of the regular season.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Still not ready for game action
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Ball continues to miss time due to right ankle tendinitis, and it's unclear if he'll suit up again this season despite positive reports about his participation in practice at the beginning of March. Vasilije Micic and Tre Mann should continue to lead Charlotte's backcourt in Ball's absence.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out again Tuesday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Ball has not played since Jan. 26 due to right ankle tendinitis. There were positive updates about his participation in practice at the beginning of March, but it's unclear if the Hornets, who are out of the playoff picture, will want him to come back before the end of the regular season.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Another absence coming
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Ball (ankle) is out for Saturday's game versus the 76ers.
Ball's absence streak will extend to 25 games Saturday due to a right ankle injury. It is unclear when the star point guard will return to action.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Improving, but lacks timeline
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Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Monday in an interview with "The Wes & Walker Show" of 102.5 The Block Charlotte that Ball (ankle) is "doing more and more" work on the court but remains without a clear timeline to return to game action, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports. "He had a good workout [Monday], and did some live," Clifford said of Ball. "I feel like he's getting closer but not quite there yet."
While Clifford's comments offer encouragement that Ball hasn't been shut down from activity as he recovers from right ankle tendinopathy, the lack of clarity regarding when the star point guard might resume playing in games has made it increasingly difficult for managers in redraft leagues to continue holding him. Considering that the Hornets are well out of playoff contention, the team is likely to continue exercising extreme caution with Ball, who may be subject to a minute restriction if and when he eventually makes his return to the lineup. Ball hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to the injury.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Remains without return timetable
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Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Thursday that Ball (ankle) hasn't progressed any further in his recovery and doesn't feel healthy enough to play, James Plowright of SI.com reports. "He's doing the same stuff now he was doing two weeks ago. He does whatever they [the Hornets' medical team] allow him to do," Clifford said. "He wants to be back, but again he doesn't feel healthy enough or comfortable enough to play...I know he wants to get back, there's just a lot of factors."
Ball hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to right ankle tendinopathy. While the 22-year-old guard began to participate in on-court work over the All-Star break, the Hornets haven't provided any indication that he's bound for an immediate return. Until the Hornets release a firm timetable for Ball to return to the court, Tre Mann will likely continue to start at point guard.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will remain out Thursday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bucks.
Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reported during the All-Star break that Ball was doing on-court work and increasing his workload daily, but the point guard is slated to miss a 16th straight game Thursday. Tre Mann should continue to start at point guard in Ball's absence, while the latter's next chance to suit up will come Friday in Philadelphia.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Tuesday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Despite returning to practice last week, Ball will miss a 15th straight game. The Hornets aren't a contender this season, so they'll presumably take a cautious approach with their star point guard. Ball's next chance to suit up will come Thursday in a rematch against the Bucks in Charlotte, while Tre Mann should continue to start at point guard in Ball's absence.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Remains out Sunday
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Ball (ankle) won't play Sunday against Portland.
Ball returned to practice Wednesday, but he'll end up missing his 14th game in a row Sunday. Considering the Hornets' status as a non-contender in addition to Ball's history of ankle issues, the franchise may be inclined to take a cautious approach with easing him back into game action. Ball should be considered questionable -- at best -- for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out through All-Star break
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Ball (ankle) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Hawks.
Ball's absence streak will extend to 11 games Wednesday due to right ankle tendinopathy. The 22-year-old guard will have extra time to recover, as Charlotte's next contest doesn't come until after the All-Star break on Feb. 22 against Utah.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Monday
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Ball (ankle) is out for Monday's game against Indiana.
Ball hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to right ankle tendinitis. Charlotte will likely continue being extremely cautious with Ball's health, and though he continues to be evaluated on a game-by-game basis, he's not expected to return to action Wednesday versus the Hawks in the Hornets' final game before the All-Star break.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Another absence coming
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Ball (ankle) is out for Friday's game versus the Bucks.
Ball's absence streak will extend to eight games Friday due to right ankle tendinopathy. The Hornets have provided little clarity with regard to where Ball stands in his recovery from the injury, so he'll presumably remain sidelined for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will remain out Wednesday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Per Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte, coach Steve Clifford said Monday Ball is still experiencing "a lot of pain" in his right ankle and "doesn't feel comfortable," so it's not surprising to see him ruled out for a seventh straight game. The Hornets continue to update the point guard's status game-by-game, but he may be sidelined through the All-Star break given Carboni's report.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Monday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Ball will miss a sixth straight game and doesn't have a timeline for a return, with head coach telling Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte prior to Wednesday's contest that the point guard "doesn't feel comfortable" and "has a lot of pain" in his right ankle. Ball is content taking his time recovering from the injury so that he can play at an All-Star level when he's back on the court, per Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. The Hornets are continuing to evaluate Ball's status on a game-by-game basis, but based on Clifford's comments, the 22-year-old can be viewed as doubtful to play Wednesday versus the Raptors.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't go vs. Pacers
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Indiana, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Ball remains without a firm timetable for a return and is set to miss his fifth consecutive matchup while dealing with a right ankle injury. His next opportunity to suit up will arrive Monday against the Lakers.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Doubtful for Friday
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Ball (ankle) is doubtful for Friday's matchup with the Thunder.
It appears Ball is on track to sit out his fourth straight game, which means we'll continue to see Miles Bridges and Cody Martin help facilitate the offense with Brandon Miller getting an uptick in usage. Ball's fantasy managers can expect to get official word on his status closer to Friday's tipoff.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Downgraded to out
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
As expected, Ball has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will miss a third straight game due to right ankle soreness. The Hornets are expected to be cautious with their superstar point guard given their place in the standings, and Ball, who's dealt with chronic ankle issues early in his NBA career, is content on taking his time so he can play at an All-Star level when he's back on the court, per Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer.
