The Hornets will be without their franchise player for the rest of the season.
LaMelo Ball has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign after suffering a fractured right ankle. The injury puts an end to a tumultuous season for Ball, who missed 27 of the team's first 63 games with various injuries, though he was nothing short of impressive while active.
Ball, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was putting up some of the best numbers of his young career this season. He finishes the year with averages of 23.3 points, 8.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds over 36 games.
Here is what we know about Ball's injury, including updates on the severity of the fracture and his expected return date:
What is LaMelo Ball's injury?
Ball appeared to suffer a non-contact injury to his right ankle in the third quarter of Charlotte's win over Detroit on Monday, Feb. 27. He immediately fell down to the floor in pain and checked out of the game.
Here's a video of the play he was injured on:
LaMelo Ball had to leave the game early after suffering a non contact injury
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 28, 2023
“It popped. I heard it pop.”pic.twitter.com/SYZZVXkafZ
Ball was seen on the court after the injury saying, "it popped," in reference to his ankle. Shortly after the game ended, the Hornets announced he had suffered a fracture in his right ankle.
"An x-ray taken at the arena revealed the fracture," the statement said. "Ball will be listed as out for the Hornets’ next game vs. Phoenix on March 1 and updates regarding his status will be provided as appropriate."
MORE: Latest updates on LeBron James' foot injury, including timeline and return date
How long is LaMelo Ball out?
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Ball will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season due to the injury.
Hornets All-Star LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season with his fractured right ankle, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ball has had multiple left ankle sprains this season before suffering the right ankle fracture on Monday night.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
On March 1, Ball successfully underwent surgery on his right ankle, the team announced, with the 21-year-old expected to make a full recovery.
At the time of Ball's injury, the Hornets held a 20-43 record. Given his age, the severity of his injury and Charlotte's place in the East Standings, the news that Ball's season is over does not come as much of a surprise.
The Hornets franchise will take a future-focused approach when building for the future around its 21-year-old star.
LaMelo Ball career stats
- 19.4 points per game
- 6.4 rebounds per game
- 7.3 assists per game
- 1.5 steals per game
- 0.4 blocks per game
- 3.2 turnovers per game
- 31.9 minutes per game
- 42.5 percent field goal shooting
- 37.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 83.1 percent free throw shooting
