After missing the first 13 games of the season due to an ankle injury, LaMelo Ball caught an unlucky break in a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 16.
Ball exited the game in the final two minutes after rolling his ankle when he accidentally stepped on the foot of a courtside fan as he attempted a steal.
INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball left the game late in tonight’s loss to IND with a L Ankle Sprain and did not return.
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) November 17, 2022
What's next for Ball? Here is what we know about his injury and when he could return to the floor for the Hornets.
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What is LaMelo Ball's injury?
Ball tweaked the same ankle that kept him sidelined for the first 13 games of the season after landing on the fan's foot and immediately began limping before heading to the locker room.
According to the Hornets, he has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain.
🚨LaMelo Ball leaves the game after rolling his ankle on a fans foot sitting courtside.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) November 17, 2022
(Same ankle that caused him to miss the start of the season.)
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Ball was enjoying his best game since returning from injury, scoring 16 of his 26 points in the second half.
He finished with 26 points, six assists, one rebound, and two steals on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 shooting from the 3-point line.
How long will LaMelo Ball be out?
The Hornets announced on Dec. 14 that Ball has been upgraded from out to questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been upgraded to questionable for tonight's game against DET https://t.co/ThXJV0bGh5
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) December 14, 2022
Ball has only played three games since suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in the preseason. He is averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals over those three games.
Hornets schedule 2022-23
The Hornets have home games against the Pistons (Dec. 14) and Hawks (Dec. 16) before heading out West for a six-game road trip. Those two home games will be a good barometer of Ball's availability on the road.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 14 | vs. Pistons | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 16 | vs. Hawks | 7 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 18 | at Nuggets | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 19 | at Kings | 10 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 21 | at Clippers | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 23 | at Lakers | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 26 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Dec. 27 | at Warriors | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
