Hornets G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out against Nuggets

Field Level Media|published: 02/20/2025, 7:12pm EST

Feb 10, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and center Nic Claxton (33) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball played an integral role in Wednesday night's win at the Los Angeles Lakers but will sit out Thursday's game at the Denver Nuggets with left ankle soreness.

Ball scored 27 points against the Lakers, including a driving layup with 14.2 seconds remaining in a 100-97 win that snapped Charlotte's three-game skid.

Ball, 23, has averaged 27.3 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games (all starts) this season, his fifth with the Hornets. The former All-Star is shooting 41.8 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from 3-point range.

Ball missed five games bridging January and February due to a sprained left ankle, then sat out against the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 9 and the Orlando Magic on Feb. 12 because of left ankle soreness.

--Field Level Media