Ball closed Saturday's 112-99 win over the Bulls with 17 points (7-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt), six rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 26 minutes.
Ball contributed on both ends of the floor, playing in the second game of a back-to-back for the second time in the past nine games. While the numbers have been absolutely fine, the fact that Ball is healthy and playing in all games is a big win for fantasy managers. With that said, if you are skeptical when it comes to his health, now might be a great time to try and execute a sell-high.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hits for 27 in Wednesday's loss
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Ball logged 27 points (9-13 FG, 7-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and three steals over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 132-125 loss to Golden State.
The 24-year-old guard has looked good since returning from a bone bruise in his ankle in mid-December. Over the last seven games, Ball has drained multiple three-pointers in every contest while scoring over 20 points six times, averaging 22.4 points, 7.7 assists, 5.3 threes, 3.6 boards and 1.3 steals over that stretch.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hits six triples in loss
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Ball closed Monday's 123-113 loss to the Bucks with 26 points (9-23 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes.
Ball knocked down six-plus three-pointers for the third time this season, finishing as Charlotte's second-leading scorer in the loss. The Hornets continue to be mindful of the 24-year-old's playing time after an injury-riddled start to the season. While he hasn't logged more than 29 minutes in any of his last six appearances following a three-game absence due to a left ankle bone bruise, he has scored at least 22 points in five of those outings. The star point guard also led the first unit in assists Monday, dishing out at least seven for the third time in his last four outings.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Team-high 22 points Friday
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Ball posted 22 points (7-20 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 29 minutes during the Hornets' 120-105 win over the Magic on Friday.
It wasn't an efficient night from the field for Ball, but he still managed to lead the Hornets in scoring and extended his streak of 20-plus points to three games. Since returning from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, Ball has averaged 20.8 points, 8.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 4.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 26.0 minutes per game. Kon Knueppel left in the second quarter and was unable to return due to a right ankle injury, so Ball would be in line for more usage on offense if the former were to miss time.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Near double-double Tuesday
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Ball had 23 points (7-12 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 126-109 victory over Washington.
Ball scored 14 of his 23 points in the second half and was one assist shy of recording his fifth double-double of the season. The All-Star point guard has scored 20-plus points in three of his last four games and has been red-hot from three over that span, connecting on 54.1 percent of his 9.3 three-point attempts per game.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Nears double-double in defeat
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Ball contributed 23 points (8-16 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine assists and four rebounds across 24 minutes in Monday's 139-132 loss to the Cavaliers.
After scoring eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in Saturday's blowout loss to Detroit, Ball bounced back in a major way, albeit in a losing effort. The star point guard knocked down a game-high-tying six triples en route to a team-best 23 points. He also led the Hornets in assists and has dished out at least nine in four of his last six outings. Ball is seemingly still on a minutes restriction following a three-game absence due to an ankle injury, and his status will be worth monitoring ahead of the second leg of Charlotte's back-to-back set Tuesday against the Wizards.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Probable for Monday
Rotowire
Ball is probable for Monday's game against the Cavaliers with right wrist soreness.
Ball's wrist was bothering him Saturday against the Pistons, as he went 3-for-14 from the field in 23 minutes before fouling out. Monday's game is the front end of a back-to-back set, but it sounds like Ball will give it a go against Cleveland.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Shines from downtown in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) amassed 28 points (10-16 FG, 8-11 3Pt), 13 assists, four rebounds and one steal over 29 minutes during Thursday's 133-126 win over Atlanta.
Sidelined for the previous three games due to a left ankle bone bruise, Ball seemingly had few restrictions in place in his return to the lineup Thursday and proceeded to deliver one of his better all-around performances of the season. The eight triples were easily a season high for Ball, who had been shooting 28.5 percent from downtown on the campaign heading into Thursday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will be on limit if cleared
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) will be on a minutes restriction Thursday against the Hawks if he's cleared to play, Will Palaszczuk of Sports Radio WFNZ reports.
Ball is considered probable to take the court Thursday after missing the last three games with a left ankle bone bruise. If all goes according to plan, he'll suit up, but the team intends to ease him back into action in an effort to avoid having him aggravate his injury.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Upgraded to probable
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Ball (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against the Hawks.
After initially being listed as questionable, Ball is expected to return from a three-game absence due to a left ankle bone bruise. The star guard is likely to push Sion James to the bench Thursday. On the campaign, Ball has averaged 19.4 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 28.9 minutes through 16 games.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Ruled out for Sunday
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland.
Ball will miss his third straight game due to a left ankle bone bruise, and it's not a positive sign that he continues to be ruled out a day before tipoff. With the star point guard being joined by Collin Sexton (quadriceps) and Tre Mann (knee) on the sidelines, KJ Simpson, Sion James and Josh Green are candidates for an uptick in minutes. Ball's next chance to play comes Thursday against the Hawks.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will play Friday
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Ball (wrist) will play Friday versus the Raptors.
Ball was initially listed as probable for Friday's game, so there was never much doubt about his status. Over his last five appearances, the star point guard has averaged 17.4 points, 8.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game. Go ahead and get him active.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Probable for Friday
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Ball (wrist) is probable for Friday's game in Toronto.
Ball played through the wrist issue during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks and went off for 34 points, so it didn't seem to impact his play all that much. Managers can expect to get official confirmation on Ball's status closer to tip-off time Friday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-doubles in loss
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Ball ended Monday's 116-103 loss to Brooklyn with 12 points (3-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, 14 assists and two blocks across 29 minutes.
Ball recorded a season-high 14 assists, notching his third double-double of the campaign. Since returning from yet another ankle injury, Ball's playing time has been a hot topic of conversation. It appears as though the Hornets are going to be very cautious moving forward, a wise move given his lengthy injury history. In four games over the past week, Ball has averaged 13.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 three-pointers in 26.7 minutes per game.
Ball posted 18 points (5-21 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals over 27 minutes during Wednesday's 127-118 loss to Indiana.
Ball struggled with efficiency and protecting the ball against the Pacers, which may have factored into him not playing the final four minutes of the game. The former All-Star had six turnovers while scoring 18 points on 21 shots. Still, he delivered seven rebounds, eight assists and a pair of steals to balance out his final line. Ball's play has been erratic since returning from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, but you can expect him to maintain heavy usage when available.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Available for Monday
Rotowire
Ball (rest) will be available for Monday's game against the Raptors.
This is an expected update after the star point guard missed Sunday's loss to the Thunder because it was the second leg of a back-to-back set. If Ball's ankle continues to make progress, his restrictions could soften gradually.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out against Thunder
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Ball (rest) won't play Saturday against the Thunder.
No surprise here, as the Hornets won't be taking any chances on the second leg of this back-to-back set given Ball's injury history. He returned from a five-game absence Friday and double-doubled with 16 points (5-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 assists and three rebounds across 27 minutes. Tre Mann and Collin Sexton are likely to see increased run as a result Saturday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Posts double-double in return
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Ball totaled 16 points (5-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 assists and three rebounds across 27 minutes during Friday's 147-134 overtime loss to the Bucks.
Ball returned to action after missing the past five games due to a right ankle impingement. Despite being on a minutes limit, Ball came through with his third double-double of the season. Though Ball will likely see his playing time pick up his subsequent appearances, he'll be a candidate to sit out the second leg of a back-to-back set Saturday versus Oklahoma City.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Another absence coming
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Ball (ankle) is out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
Wednesday will mark a fifth consecutive absence for Ball, who practiced with the Hornets' G League affiliate Tuesday. The superstar guard will be trying to return Friday against the Bucks. Tre Mann and Sion James are the most likely candidates for an increased role Wednesday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: To practice with Swarm
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Ball (ankle) will practice with the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Tuesday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
This will be a quick assignment for Ball, and he's likely to be recalled right after the practice. This is an indication that he's progressing, but it remains to be seen if he'll be cleared in time for Wednesday's game against the Bucks on Wednesday.
