Hornets G LaMelo Ball (ankle) to miss rest of season

Field Level Media|published: Thu 28th March, 11:07 2024

Mar 1, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball practices before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has been shut down for the remainder of the season as he continues to rehab his right ankle injury, the team announced Thursday.

Ball sat out nearly seven weeks after he sprained his right ankle on Nov. 26. He returned to action on Jan. 12 and played the next two weeks for the Hornets.

Ball, 22, averaged a career-high 23.9 points per game to go with 8.0 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 22 games (all starts) this season.

In four seasons with the Hornets, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has averaged 20.0 points, 7.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds in 184 games (164 starts).

Ball appeared in just 36 games last season because of a broken right ankle. He was limited to 51 games as a rookie due to injuries, but still earned Rookie of the Year honors. He was an All-Star in 2021.

—Field Level Media