Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball couldn’t finish Friday’s game in Toronto after the team ruled him out in the second half with left ankle soreness.
As Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports, Ball had a “slight limp” as he went to the locker room less than two minutes into the third quarter, with the injury seemingly occurring when he slipped while trying to get back on defense.
Ball has dealt with repeated ankle problems in recent seasons. He entered the matchup listed as probable due to a sprained left wrist, and earlier this year missed five straight games because of a right ankle impingement.
The setback came just as Brandon Miller returned from a two-game absence. Boone notes the Hornets were being cautious with Miller’s left shoulder, which had already kept him out for several weeks.
Head coach Charles Lee emphasized Miller’s importance: “He allows us to have another primary defender on some of their primary ball-handlers … And then offensively, he gives us another weapon … his ability to get to the paint and make plays, his basketball IQ.”
Rookie wing Sion James, who filled in during Miller’s absence, earned praise as well. “I love the communication that he has,” Lee said. “He’s very vocal… And then offensively, he stays within himself.”
Even without Ball, Charlotte defeated the Raptors again. Kon Knueppel posted 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting with seven assists, while Tidjane Salaun added a career-high 21 points in 22 minutes.
ICYMI: Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was unable to finish Friday’s game at Toronto, having been ruled out in the second half with left ankle soreness. https://t.co/XoBwJgMWMe
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 6, 2025
