LaMelo Ball injury update: Hornets star to miss remainder of season with right ankle fracture, per report

LaMelo Ball is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a broken right ankle. according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Ball was injured during the Hornets’ victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday, the Charlotte Hornets. announced. The game began in the third quarter with the Hornets leading by double digits. Ball was in possession of the basketball and attempted to dribble from behind. After that, he fell to the ground from severe pain. Left the game and did not return.

The Hornets pulled off a controversial 117–106 victory for their fourth in a row, but Ball’s injury cancels out any good vibes the streak could have had. Ball leads the Hornets in points (23.4) and assists (8.5) per game this season, and his 3.9 three-pointers per game ranks fourth in the NBA behind Stephen Curry, Clay Thompson and Damian Lillard. .

Charlotte has already dropped out of playoff contention this season. However, Ball’s history of ankle injuries worries a franchise that badly needs him to be the cornerstone of their movement forward. Ball missed the first 13 games of the season with a sprained left ankle. He then sprained his ankle in just his third game of the season and missed 11 more games.

At 20-43, the Hornets have little left to play this season, and with Ball out for the rest of the game, the outlook for the past six weeks is even bleaker.

Looking back this season, Ball is eligible for a rookie contract extension this summer, which the Hornets are likely to offer given what a devastating offensive threat he is when healthy. However, the Hornets haven’t made the playoffs since 2016, and despite Ball’s brilliance since entering the league, injuries are a concern.