Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Does it all in preseason win
Rotowire
Ball produced 24 points (7-15 FG, 6-12 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block across 23 minutes during Tuesday's 111-108 preseason win over the Heat.
Ball posted a game-high 24 points while leading all players in both threes made and threes attempted. The 23-year-old missed the majority of the 2023-24 campaign due to right ankle tendinopathy, but his hot start in the preseason bodes well for his return to game action in the regular season. In two preseason appearances, Ball has already accumulated 42 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks across only 42 combined minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 18 in preseason opener
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Ball finished Sunday's preseason opener against the Knicks with 18 points (6-14 FG, 4-10 3PT, 2-2 FT), seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block in 19 minutes.
The star point guard missed 60 games last season and hadn't been on an NBA court since Jan. 26, so it was good to see Ball healthy and back in action. When he's at full strength, Ball is the clear offensive engine in Charlotte, but he makes for a difficult risk/reward proposition in fantasy leagues. While Ball has proven capable of first-round-caliber production, he's played just 58 games over the last two seasons while battling a series of ankle and foot injuries.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Cleared to play
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Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Monday that Ball (ankle) is ready for training camp, Nick Carboni of WCNC reports.
Ball will be sporting braces on both ankles as a preventative measure early this season, as he's struggled to stay on the floor in recent campaigns. Ball said Monday that his ankles are feeling great and that he likes the feeling of the braces. Health is a big question mark for prospective fantasy managers, but Ball's upside is through the roof.
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Expected to be ready for camp
Rotowire
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.
