Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hands out season-high 15 assists
Rotowire
Ball posted 27 points (9-13 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, 15 assists and one steal over 29 minutes during Friday's 145-134 victory over the Spurs.
Ball handed out a season-high 15 assists Friday, tallying his 11th double-double of the year. The star floor general should remain a high-end fantasy producer in all formats when available, although the rebuilding Hornets figure to monitor his workload in the final month of the season. Over his last 10 games, Ball has averaged 19.8 points, 7.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 3.4 three-pointers in 30.5 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) isn't listed on Charlotte's injury report for Monday's game against the Heat.
After resting Saturday during the second half of a back-to-back, Ball will return to action Monday. Over his last four appearances, Ball has averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 31.3 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will play Friday
Rotowire
Ball has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Ball recorded a double-double for the Hornets the last time he was on the floor, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves. The rising star is averaging a career-high 26.2 points this season, with 5.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Charlotte.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Likely to play Friday
Rotowire
Ball (illness) has been listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Ball popped up on the injury report Thursday as he is battling an illness. However, he is trending toward playing. The one-time All-Star is coming off an impressive performance in Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: All-around performance in loss
Rotowire
Ball contributed 25 points (8-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-8 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes in Monday's 119-101 loss to Golden State.
Ball did a little bit of everything in Monday's contest, leading all Hornets in assists while finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounds in a well-rounded showcase. Ball hauled in nine or more boards for the fifth time, and he has recorded at least 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on four occasions.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Puts up 20 points in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) recorded 20 points (7-19 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and three assists across 32 minutes Saturday in the Hornets' 113-100 loss to the Wizards.
Back in action after missing the previous two contests due to right ankle soreness, Ball didn't face any obvious limitations in his return but wasn't particularly efficient, as he turned the ball over six times and shot 36.8 percent from the field. Given the 14-45 Hornets' place in the standings, Ball seems like a good bet to be rested for one half of back-to-back sets for the remainder of the season, and it wouldn't be surprising if he was occasionally held out for standalone games, too.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out Thursday with sore ankle
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with Dallas.
Ball's most recent absence in Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors came in the second leg of a back-to-back set and was attributed to right ankle injury management, but he'll miss a standalone contest Thursday with what the Hornets are labeling as right ankle soreness. The point guard will head to the sideline for the 22nd time in 58 games on the season, and he could get more frequent games off in the final six weeks of the campaign while the 14-43 Hornets' playoff odds continue to drop.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Questionable Thursday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.
After missing Tuesday's loss to the Warriors, Ball could miss Thursday's matchup in Dallas due to right ankle soreness. KJ Simpson replaced the one-time All-Star in the starting lineup against Golden State, which might be how Charlotte goes against the Mavericks.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Sitting out Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
The Hornets will hold Ball out of action Tuesday on the second half of their back-to-back set. The star guard is likely to be available Thursday against Dallas, but he could get more maintenance days down the stretch. Elfrid Payton appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Ball in the starting lineup, with Payton averaging 6.6 points, 8.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 25.5 minutes in five games as a starter this season.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Woeful in loss Saturday
Rotowire
Ball amassed five points (1-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes during Saturday's 141-88 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Ball had easily his worst performance of the season as the Hornets were played off the court by the Trail Blazers. Charlotte is once again playing for lottery balls following another underwhelming season, meaning Ball's availability could be spotty moving forward. He will continue to facilitate the offense when healthy, but as we saw here, the team's motivation could do with some tweaking.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Fades injury report
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Portland.
Ball was held out of Thursday's loss to the Nuggets due to right ankle injury management, but it appears the star point guard should be able to suit up Saturday. He's averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game this season along with 7.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals over 32.7 minutes. Ball's return will likely lead to Elfrid Payton retreating to the bench.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Ball is out for Thursday's game against the Nuggets due to right ankle injury management.
Charlotte is on the second night of a back-to-back, so Ball and Mark Williams (conditioning) will both sit out following an upset victory over the Lakers. The absences should lead to more usage for Nick Smith, Seth Curry, Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate. Ball's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup at the Trail Blazers.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 27 points in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) closed Wednesday's 100-97 win over the Lakers with 27 points (9-19 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six assists, five rebounds and one steal over 33 minutes.
Ball didn't show any lingering effects of the right ankle injury that prevented him from playing in Charlotte's final game before the All-Star break, and he led the team in points in what turned out to be a tight, low-scoring win. The point guard has been the most consistent offensive weapon for the Hornets this season, although injuries have limited him of late, as he had missed seven of the team's previous nine contests.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Probable to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.
Ball didn't play in the Hornets' last game before the All-Star break, but the star floor general seems to have used the time off to recover. Ball has been Charlotte's best player this season, averaging 27.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game across 33 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play against Orlando
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Magic.
Ball injured his right ankle against Brooklyn on Monday and will remain out Wednesday. KJ Simpson will likely receive increased playing time at point guard in his absence. Ball will have the entire All-Star break to recover before Charlotte returns to action against the Lakers on Feb. 19.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Ball was a late addition to the injury report and ultimately won't suit up for the first half of Charlotte's back-to-back set. Nick Smith (back) is also out, so KJ Simpson, Seth Curry, Elfrid Payton and Isaiah Wong should all handle increased roles in the backcourt. Ball will likely return to action Monday in Brooklyn and can be considered probable until the team releases an official injury report.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Downgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
After initially being left off the injury report, Ball is now questionable for Sunday, the first night of a back-to-back set. The point guard will likely miss at least one of the next two games, but it's unclear which one it'll be. When he's sidelined, KJ Simpson, Elfrid Payton and Isaiah Wong would be candidates for increased roles.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-doubles in return
Rotowire
Ball recorded 24 points (9-26 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and 10 assists across 36 minutes during Friday's 117-116 win over San Antonio.
Ball returned to the lineup after missing the previous five games due to an ankle injury. He moved straight back into the starting lineup, recording his seventh double-double of the season. The fact he logged a team-high 36 minutes would indicate he is over his most recent injury, a good sign for his immediate playing future. As long as he can stay healthy, Ball should continue to facilitate the offense while also leading the way when it comes to shot attempts.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Playing Friday vs. San Antonio
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Ball has missed the Hornets' last five games due to a left ankle sprain, but he's progressed enough in his recovery to play in Friday's contest. Ball's return to the starting lineup will likely lead to KJ Simpson coming off the bench. Ball averaged 23.4 points, 7.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals over 32.2 minutes per game in the nine games prior to his ankle injury.
... See More... See Less
Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Questionable Friday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Ball has missed the Hornets' last five games after suffering an ankle sprain in their recent loss to the Lakers. If the star guard can't play against San Antonio, the team could turn to KJ Simpson, Isaiah Wong, Seth Curry, and Nick Smith to help shoulder the load in Charlotte's backcourt.
