Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Rough shooting night in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) finished Thursday's 111-96 win over the Bulls with 15 points (2-15 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 11 rebounds and eight assists in 37 minutes.
Though Ball's third multi-game absence of the season due to a left ankle sprain proved to be more short-lived than his prior two absences, the star point guard endured a rough night in his return to the lineup. Ball's season-long field-goal percentage dropped to 40 percent after the 2-for-15 outing, but he at least filled out the counting categories. Perhaps more importantly, Ball didn't face any limitations with his minutes, offering hope that his ankle -- as well as his more minor right wrist injury -- won't inhibit him moving forward.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Cleared to play Thursday
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Ball (ankle, wrist) will make his return Thursday against the Bulls.
Ball is back following a three-game absence and should return to the starting lineup. With Gordon Hayward (hamstring) also available, Dennis Smith, Bryce McGowens and Jalen McDaniels could see reduced roles. In January, Ball is averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Considered questionable
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Ball (ankle/wrist) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against Chicago.
Ball has missed three straight games due to a left ankle sprain and right wrist soreness. It's unclear if one issue is more severe than the other, but it doesn't look like he's making much progress. If Ball is sidelined for a fourth consecutive contest, Terry Rozier would presumably draw another start at point guard, while Dennis Smith and Bryce McGowens see extra minutes. Following Thursday's matchup, the Hornets' next game arrives Sunday against Miami.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Officially out
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Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Phoenix, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
As anticipated, Ball will be held out Tuesday evening due to a left ankle sprain. His next chance to return will arrive Thursday against the Bulls.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Unlikely to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) is doubtful and unlikely to play Tuesday against the Suns, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
This is not an encouraging sign for the point guard, who had been listed as questionable earlier Tuesday. If he ends up missing a third straight contest, Terry Rozier should operate as Charlotte's primary ballhandler once again.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Considered questionable
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Ball has missed back-to-back contests due to a left ankle sprain and right wrist soreness. He's listed as questionable once again, but given he drew the same designation ahead of Charlotte's previous contest, it doesn't shed any clarity on his availability for Tuesday. If he's sidelined again, Terry Rozier figures to be the primary beneficiary.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Listed as out Monday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jazz, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Ball has been downgraded to out after initially being listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain. Terry Rozier figures to be in line for another start at point guard with Ball sidelined.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Questionable Monday
Rotowire
Ball (ankle/wrist) is questionable for Monday's game against the Jazz.
Ball was sidelined for Saturday's matchup against Atlanta due to ankle and wrist issues, and his status is up in the air for Monday's game. However, it's slightly encouraging that he's questionable against Utah after being labeled as doubtful ahead of Saturday's game. Dennis Smith and Bryce McGowens will likely see increased run if Ball is unavailable once again Monday.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Out Saturday
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Ball (ankle, wrist) is out Saturday against the Hawks, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.
As expected, Ball will sit out after again injuring the same ankle that's already cost him 24 games this season. In his absence, more minutes should be available for Dennis Smith and Bryce McGowens.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Likely out Saturday
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Ball is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Hawks with a left ankle sprain and a sore right wrist.
Ball looks like he'll be forced to miss at least one contest after exiting Wednesday's win over the Rockets with the pair of injuries. Though Ball managed to participate in the non-contact portions of Friday's practice, the Hornets are likely to exercise caution with Ball given that he's now sprained the same ankle on two occasions since missing the Hornets' first 13 games of the season on account of the injury. Dennis Smith is likely to slide into the starting five Saturday in Ball's stead.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hurts ankle again
Rotowire
Ball has been ruled ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Rockets due to a left ankle sprain. He'll finish the night with 13 points (4-16 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four assists and one rebound in 20 minutes.
Ball suffered the injury in the third quarter, when teammate P.J. Washington landed on the point guard's ankle coming down from a rebound. Considering that Ball had absences of 13 and 11 games earlier in the season due to the same injury, he'll most likely be in store to miss time again, even if his latest aggravation proves to be only a minor concern. If that's the case, Dennis Smith will likely step in as the Hornets' starting point guard Saturday in Atlanta, while shooting guard Terry Rozier could also see more time on the ball and should enjoy a bump in his overall usage.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Leads team in scoring
Rotowire
Ball closed with 31 points (11-27 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 8-8 FT), nine assists, seven rebounds and one steal in 39 minutes during Saturday's 122-106 loss to the Celtics.
While not as efficient as the previous game, Ball again scored over 30 points on 11 made field goals. He was also perfect from the free-throw line and came up one assist shy of a double-double. Ball's subpar field-goal percentage makes him more valuable in points leagues, but he's still a fantasy asset in category formats thanks to neutral-to-plus contributions in points, assists, rebounds, steals, three-pointers and free-throw percentage.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Big double-double in loss
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Ball logged 24 points (9-22 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and 14 assists across 38 minutes during Tuesday's 132-120 loss to the Raptors.
Since returning from an ankle injury in mid-December, Ball has been remarkably productive and consistent. Over 15 games, he's scored at least 20 points 14 times while delivering eight double-doubles and a triple-double, averaging 23.9 points, 8.9 assists, 5.7 boards, 4.4 threes and 1.2 steals. The 11-31 Hornets have a lot of issues on their roster as they head for the draft lottery, but the backcourt pairing of Ball and Terry Rozier hasn't been one of them.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Encounters foul trouble
Rotowire
Ball recorded 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt), two rebounds and eight assists over 25 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 116-111 loss to the Pacers.
Ball was limited to just 25 minutes in the loss as a result of early fouls, and he eventually fouled out in the second half. With reduced minutes came reduced production, much to the disappointment of managers everywhere. With that said, the eight assists were nice, and given his body of work thus far this season, he should be able to turn things around in a hurry.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Double-double against Grizzlies
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Ball produced 23 points (7-23 FG, 4-13 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, 12 assists and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 131-107 loss to Memphis.
Matched up against Ja Morant, Ball held his own and recorded his seventh double-double of the season, but he got little help from the rest of the Hornets. The third-year point guard has been on fire since getting healthy in mid-December, starting 12 straight games and averaging 24.8 points, 8.3 assists, 6.4 boards, 4.3 threes and 1.3 steals.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Does a little of everything in loss
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Ball logged 24 points (9-22 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and three steals across 38 minutes during Monday's 121-115 loss to the Lakers.
Ball didn't have his most efficient shooting night, but he made a big impact in a variety of other areas. The third-year point guard led the Hornets in assists and finished second in scoring behind Terry Rozier's 27 points. However, Ball's most outstanding fantasy contributions were on defense, as he chipped in a pair of blocks and three steals. He's swatted four shots over his past three games after notching only two blocks over his first 11 contests of the campaign.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Sniffs triple-double in loss
Rotowire
Ball amassed 23 points (7-19 FG, 5-14 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Saturday's 123-106 loss to the Nets.
Ball ended just three rebounds away from posting a triple-double, and he has flirted with that mark in five of his last six appearances. The star floor general has been an extremely consistent player, scoring at least 20 points in each of his last 10 contests while also averaging 8.2 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game during that span.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Near triple-double in victory
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Ball provided 27 points (9-15 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal across 36 minutes during Thursday's 121-113 victory over the Thunder.
Ball led the team in both scoring and assists while finishing one assist shy of a triple-double. Ball has posted two straight 20-point, 10-rebound double-doubles, now having recorded at least 20 points, 10 boards and five assists in two games this year.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Posts double-double in loss
Rotowire
Ball recorded 21 points (7-25 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 10 rebounds and four assists over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 110-105 loss to Golden State.
Ball somehow managed to scrape 21 points together despite an abysmal night of shooting. He converted only 28 percent of his shots in the loss but made a decent defensive contribution on the glass, albeit with no defensive stats to complement the rebound production.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Active Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball (shoulder) is active Tuesday against Golden State, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Despite nursing a right shoulder strain, Ball will remain in the lineup versus the defending champions. The guard has averaged 25.6 points, 8.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds across his past seven appearances.
