LaMelo Ball's sophomore campaign is going to come to a brief halt.
The Hornets announced on Dec. 4 that Ball, Terry Rozier, Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee have entered the NBA's health and safety protocols. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, those players are expected to miss several games.
The team announced on Dec. 6 that veteran point guard Ish Smith is the fifth Hornet to enter the protocols.
What's next for Ball and the Hornets? Here's what we know about Ball's status and potential return to action.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
Why did LaMelo Ball enter the NBA's health and safety protocols?
According to the NBA, a vaccinated player enters the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 or receiving an inconclusive COVID-19 test result. Given the preseason report that stated the Hornets' roster was 100 percent vaccinated, Ball and his three teammates have either tested positive or received inconclusive tests.
Prior to the team's announcement that those players would be entering the health and safety protocols, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that there was "concern of more positive COVID-19 tests" outside of Ball and Rozier.
Now team announced Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels have entered into protocols, team says. https://t.co/1Kg9awIuGT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 4, 2021
How long will LaMelo Ball be out?
If an NBA player tests positive for COVID-19, he must spend a minimum of 10 days away from the team unless he returns two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.
In the case of a false positive, two negative tests would allow a player to return to play, as seen in the case of Lakers superstar LeBron James.
MORE: LeBron discusses clearing protocols
Hornets upcoming schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result | National TV |
| Dec. 5 | at Hawks | W, 130-127 | — |
| Dec. 6 | vs. 76ers | 7 p.m | — |
| Dec. 8 | vs. 76ers | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 10 | vs. Kings | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 13 | at Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 15 | at Spurs | 8:30 p.m. | — |
LaMelo Ball stats for 2021-22 season
- 20.0 points per game
- 7.7 rebounds per game
- 8.3 assists per game
- 1.9 steals per game
- 3.3 turnovers per game
- 33.3 minutes per game
- 41.8 percent shooting
- 39.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 90.0 percent free throw shooting
