LaMelo Ball out for season

LaMelo Ball will be sidelined for the remainder of the season as he undergoes two minor procedures to address ongoing issues with his right ankle and wrist.

Despite playing through discomfort in recent weeks, Ball and the Charlotte Hornets consulted with medical professionals and decided that these procedures would best set him up for a fully healthy and productive offseason.

This decision aims to ensure that he recovers properly and enters next season in top physical form.

Over the past few years, Ball has struggled with ankle injuries, which have caused him to miss a significant amount of time.

He has been forced to sit out at least 25 games in each of the last three seasons, a stark contrast to the 75 games he played during his career-high 2021-22 campaign.

Ball concludes the season with impressive averages of 25.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists throughout 47 games.

This season also marks the end of his first year under his five-year, $203.8 million contract extension with the Hornets, a deal that signifies the team’s commitment to him as their cornerstone player for the future.