LaMelo Ball has one goal for the Charlotte Hornets this season, but he will miss the next two weeks with a left calf strain. the team announced on Saturday.
Ball, 23, missed Friday’s 99-98 loss to the New York Knicks as the Hornets were eliminated from group play in the NBA Cup tournament. He was listed on the injury report as being ill, but his injuries were more serious. Ball suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat.
Over his past four games, Ball has averaged 40 points, including a 50-point effort last Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks. For the season, he is averaging 31.1 points per game, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo among NBA scoring leaders.
However, Ball’s scoring hasn’t helped the Hornets win games. Charlotte has lost four in a row and eight of the past 10 entering Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. At 6-13, the Hornets are 12th in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Southeast Division.
Injuries have been a problem throughout Ball’s career. Since playing 75 games as a sophomore, Ball has played a total of 76 games over the last three seasons. He played just 22 games last season after undergoing surgery on his right ankle and suffering from persistent pain afterwards. Ankle injuries limited him to 36 games during the 2022-2023 season.
Charlotte lost Grant Williams for the season last week with a torn ACL. Centers Mark Williams (foot injury) and Nick Richards (broken rib) were unavailable, and Miles Bridges missed two weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee. Still, Ball’s injury will have the most impact considering how well he has played.
