The Charlotte Hornets have decided to shut down LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season. This move is not surprising given the team’s record of 18-54. Ball has been out of action since suffering a right ankle injury during a game against the Magic days after Thanksgiving. The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly after a play involving Paolo Banchero. Unfortunately, this is the same ankle that Ball had surgery on towards the end of the previous season.
Prior to his injury, Ball was having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 25.9 points and 8.6 assists per game, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 38.9%. However, his season-ending injury has once again raised concerns about his ability to stay healthy and play consistently.
The Hornets have not yet ruled out trading Ball due to his injury history and large contract, which may continue into next season. However, finding a suitable trade partner willing to meet Charlotte’s demands for the two-time All-Star may prove challenging. In addition, rookie Brandon Miller has been making a name for himself this season as a key player for the Hornets, and it may now be interesting to see how he can complement Ball on the court under new coaching guidance in next year’s training camp.
Despite this setback, it is clear that Ball still holds significant value as a player and will likely continue to do so in years to come if he can overcome these health issues and improve upon his already impressive performance on the court.
In conclusion, while it is unfortunate news for both fans and basketball enthusiasts alike that LaMelo Ball will miss out on playing with Brandon Miller in what could have been an exciting matchup between two promising young stars
