LaMelo Ball To Miss the Start of Regular Season

Due to an unfortunate ankle injury, Charlotte Hornets star point guard LaMelo Ball is set to miss the start of the 2022-23 NBA season.

The Charlotte Hornets received some bad news a week before the opening week of the 2022-23 NBA season. Shams Charania of The Athletic recently reported that Hornets star LaMelo Ball has sustained a Grade 2 sprain on his ankle, which could force him to sit out the start of the regular season. Ball’s timeline for return will depend on his rehabilitation, according to the Hornets’ official PR Twitter page.

LaMelo suffered the ankle injury during a preseason game between the Hornets and the Washington Wizards. He was driving down the lane at the eighth-minute mark of the third quarter when he stepped on the foot of Anthony Gill of the Wizards. Ball’s ankle rolled badly, and he immediately fell to the floor. Ball did walk on his own as he headed toward the locker room, but he didn’t return to the game. He only played 20 minutes in that contest, putting up nine points, five boards, and three assists. The Wizards won that game, 116-107.

If you’re the Hornets, this is not a great way to start the season. Ball, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2021, is also coming off an All-Star season. The 6-foot-7 guard amassed all-around numbers of 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, establishing himself as one of the most versatile playmakers we have in the league today. 

Many people expected that he would struggle as a shooter and defender in the NBA, but he has quickly shut down those criticisms. LaMelo Ball normed a 38.9% clip from the three-point line last season, while also proving that he can be an asset on the defensive end of the floor.