Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-doubles in loss Sunday
Rotowire
Ball racked up 25 points (9-25 FG, 5-17 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists, one block and three steals over 40 minutes during Sunday's 120-113 loss to the Suns.
Ball might have needed 25 shots to score 25 points, but fantasy managers will gladly overlook the efficiency issues given his production across the board. The star floor general has been limited to just seven games since the beginning of December due to several injuries and postponements, but he's been outstanding when available. Since then, he's averaging 26.3 points, 8.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Game vs. Clippers postponed
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Ball and the Hornets will not play Saturday's game against the Clippers, as the game has been postponed due to the continuing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
This will be the Hornets' second consecutive postponement, as their game against the Lakers on Thursday also got postponed. The Hornets will continue their road trip through the Western Conference in Phoenix against the Suns on Sunday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Game vs. Lakers postponed
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Ball and the Hornets will not play Thursday's game against the Lakers, as the game has been postponed due to the continuing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
This is a situation that's in flux and could affect any teams set to play in the Los Angeles area in the immediate future. The Hornets are scheduled to face the Clippers in LA on Saturday, and the Lakers play their next seven games in the LA area.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Dominates with double-double in win
Rotowire
Ball notched 32 points (12-28 FG, 5-16 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 115-104 win over Phoenix.
Ball absolutely dominated Tuesday's contest, making an impact on both ends of the court while leading all players in scoring, threes made, assists and steals to go along with a double-digit rebound total in a double-double performance. Ball recorded his 15th game of the season with 30 or more points while posting his second double-double of the campaign. He matched season-high rebound and steals totals in the victory as well while handing out seven or more dimes for the 14th time.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Surpasses 20 points in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) posted 24 points (7-20 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 7-9 FT), four assists and three rebounds across 33 minutes during Sunday's 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers.
Ball returned to action Sunday after missing the last three games with a left ankle sprain and right wrist sprain. He didn't appear to be operating under any major restrictions but had a somewhat subdued performance in his return, finishing below his season-long averages in scoring (29.8 points), assists (7.3) and rebounds (5.2). Even so, fantasy managers who had been stashing Ball in an injured reserve slot can feel comfortable activating him again ahead of the Hornets' four-game week.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will play against Cleveland
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Ball (ankle/wrist) is available for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
A left ankle sprain and right wrist sprain have caused Ball to be sidelined for the Hornets' last three games, but he will make his return Sunday. The fifth-year guard is averaging a career-high 30.1 points per game this season along with 7.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals over 33.7 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Not playing Friday
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Ball (ankle/wrist) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons.
Ball will miss a third straight game while he contends with a left ankle sprain and a right wrist sprain. Vasilije Micic will have to shoulder the load as Charlotte's starting point guard once again while Ball sits.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Active at shootaround
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Ball (ankle/wrist) participated in shootaround ahead of Friday's game versus the Pistons, according to the Hornets' Instagram.
Ball is officially listed as questionable Friday after missing Charlotte's previous two contests due to left ankle and right wrist injuries. However, Ball's participation in shootaround is a positive sign that he may return to action against Detroit.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play against Chicago
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls.
Ball is working through left ankle and right wrist injuries, which will force him to miss his second straight game. The Hornets have an extended break following Monday's game, and his next opportunity to play will be Friday against the Pistons. Vasilije Micic was inserted into the starting lineup against the Thunder on Saturday and figures to remain part of the first unit Monday due to Ball's injury.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Doubtful for Monday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) is listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Bulls.
Ball is expected to miss his second consecutive outing due to left ankle and right wrist soreness. If the superstar is sidelined, Vasilije Micic will likely draw another start, with Seth Curry seeing a bump in playing time off the bench.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Ruled out against OKC
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Ball (ankle/wrist) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Thunder, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Ball had been listed as questionable with right wrist and left ankle soreness before being downgraded to out. Vasilije Micic is the most likely candidate to move into the starting lineup in Ball's stead. Ball's next chance to suit up will come Monday versus Chicago.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Iffy for Saturday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
After scoring 31 points in the loss to the Wizards, Ball is dealing with ankle and wrist soreness, which has changed his status for Saturday's matchup against Oklahoma City. If Ball cannot play against the Thunder, Vasilije Micic could see a bump in minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 23 with eight dimes
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Ball racked up 23 points (9-18 FG, 5-11 3Pt), five rebounds, eight assists and one block across 30 minutes during Monday's 114-101 loss to the Rockets.
Ball returned from a brief one-game absence due to what the team described as left calf injury management, and the star floor general filled out the stat sheet impressively. He finished just two dimes away from recording a double-double, though his lack of efficiency could be an issue in some formats. Through his last nine games, Ball is averaging 30.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game. However, he's also committing 3.7 turnovers per contest while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent from beyond the arc.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Off injury report for Monday
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Ball (calf) is off the injury report for Monday's matchup against the Rockets.
Ball will return to game action after missing Friday's loss to Philadelphia due to left calf injury management. The 23-year-old has made only two appearances in December due to the calf injury, during which he has averaged 24.5 points, 12.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals across 30.0 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Won't play Friday
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Ball is out for Friday's game versus the 76ers due to left calf injury management.
Ball hasn't suffered any new injury but will sit out Friday's contest due to it being the second leg of a back-to-back. Vasilije Micic will likely receive increased playing time in his absence. Ball should return to action for Monday's matchup with Houston.
Ball chipped in 34 points (11-32 FG, 3-18 3Pt, 9-10 FT), four rebounds, 13 assists and four steals in 34 minutes during Thursday's 123-114 loss to Washington.
While Ball's counting stats were eye-popping, his efficiency was poor in Thursday's loss. Over his last 10 outings, Ball is averaging 31.4 points, 8.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 34.0 minutes. However, over that span, he is shooting just 40.2 percent from the field and 31.8 percent on 13.2 three-point attempts per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-double in return
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Ball (calf) racked up 15 points (5-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 11 assists, five rebounds and four steals across 26 minutes during Monday's 121-108 loss to Philadelphia.
The fifth-year point guard had missed the prior seven games with a left calf strain, but Ball looked fully healthy in his return, setting a season high in steals while collecting his fifth double-double in 19 appearances. Brandon Miller (ankle) left the game in the fourth quarter and didn't return, so Ball could see even higher usage in the short term. He may not have much more of a ceiling to reach, however -- on the season, Ball is averaging a career-high 30.2 points and 4.6 triples per game with 7.2 assists, 5.4 boards and 1.3 steals.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Chance to return Monday
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Ball (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Ball has missed seven straight games due to a left calf injury, but he has a chance to return Monday. The All-Star point guard was on fire before the injury, averaging 40.3 points, 8.3 assists and 7.5 rebounds in 37.5 minutes per game over his previous four appearances.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Limited practice participant
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Ball (calf) joined "group/team setting work" at practice Wednesday, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.
Ball being on the floor to presumably work in position groups and scheme work sheds light on his status, with key next steps being an ascension to partial contact or mini scrimmages. Ball is due for a formal re-evaluation on his left calf strain in the coming days.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Will miss some time
Rotowire
Ball has been diagnosed with a left calf strain and will be re-evaluated two weeks from the date of the injury sustained Nov. 27.
Ball injured his left calf in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game versus Miami. Two weeks from that date will be Dec. 11, which means a reasonable estimation for his earliest return may not be until Dec. 19 at Washington following the NBA's in-season tournament. The star guard has averaged career highs in points (31.1) and three-pointers (4.7) this season, both of which rank second league-wide. Additionally, he has averaged 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 games. Backup point guard Tre Mann (back) has already been ruled out for at least two weeks, which means other candidates to see increased workloads in their absences are Brandon Miller, Seth Curry, Vasilije Micic, Nick Smith and Cody Martin.
