LaMelo Ball has returned to action for the Hornets in the win over the Detroit Pistons Saturday. The rookie had previously missed six weeks with a fractured wrist.

Charlotte Hornets’ head coach James Borrego expressed the certainty that Ball deserves to win the Rookie of the Year award even after missing a significant portion of games the last few weeks.

(via ESPN):

“LaMelo is deserving of that [award],” Borrego said before Saturday’s game. “I’m glad, and I’m thankful that he gets a chance to continue that season in the stretch run. … So, I’m thrilled for him. But us as an organization, this is a wonderful time for Melo to be center stage of this thing.”

Ball came back with an 11-point, 8-assist and 7-rebound performance to help Charlotte prevail in the matchup vs. Pistons.

The No. 3 overall pick is averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game through 42 appearances being one of the favorites to win the ROTY award prior to his six-week absence.

Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings made their case for the award through the last one and half month.

Edwards has averaged 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals through 65 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On the other side, Haliburton is averaging 13.0 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds, while shooting 47-percent from the field and 40-percent from deep through 57 games with the Sacramento Kings.