LaMelo Ball is hurt again. What we learned about his injury in Hornets’ win in Houston
.JPG "Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball (1) is helped off the court after being injured during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Houston. The Hornets won 122-117. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)")
With both teams on a train to nowhere besides a fast track for more ping-pong balls in the draft lottery hopper, Wednesday night’s outing at the Toyota Center could be best summed up in four words.
The Victor Wembanyama Bowl.
That’s how it goes when the NBA’s two worst teams square off and only Houston had fewer wins than the struggling Charlotte Hornets before referee Sean Wright tossed the opening tip into the air. The Rockets and Hornets each likely figured this was their prime spot to halt their respective losing streaks and put an end to their recent misery.
But nothing’s gone according to plan for the Hornets and this night wasn’t any different.
Despite escaping with a 122-117 victory over Houston, the Hornets lost yet again in the injury department. Already thin with three key players on the bench in street clothes, things took another frustrating turn when LaMelo Ball left the game in the second half after spraining his left ankle.
Ball’s foot twisted awkwardly after PJ Washington’s right foot landed on it while the two were jumping on a play simultaneously as Jabari Smith Jr. drove to the basket. Ball crumpled to the court immediately and sat out the bulk of the second half after having to be helped to the locker room.
“It feels a little bit better,” Ball said. “It doesn’t feel like those other ones. … I can walk, so take it day-by-day and see what it is.”
That’s about the only positive: It’s not the same ankle that Ball tweaked badly twice this season, sidelining him for 24 games. But it’s the last thing the Hornets need as they begin a four-game road trip that has upcoming stops in Atlanta, Utah and Phoenix.
“It’s deflating for sure,” coach Steve Clifford said. “But I was proud of the guys and the way they hung together, fought hard and made a bunch of plays there in the fourth quarter to win.”
At least Ball didn’t need an X-ray or any further testing to gauge the severity. The Hornets (12-34) can take some solace in that considering how they’ve been inundated with injuries since training camp in September.
“Stuff like this happens, I guess,” Ball said. “But you’ve always got to look at the bright side. It could have been worse, so guess I’m blessed.”
And pleased the Hornets halted a four-game losing streak.
“We definitely needed that win,” Ball said. “It was a big win even though I went down. Teammates stepped up, so yeah, definitely proud of them and hopefully we can build off of that.”
Here are some key takeaways from the Hornets’ slump-busting victory:
A feast for Williams
Mark Williams is making good on Clifford’s decision to insert him back into the main rotation as the backup center after going with Nick Richards for a few games.
The rookie was a force inside and feasted on the Rockets, especially in the first half, and tied his career high with 17 points. He terrorized Houston on the interior.
Williams threw down a pair of nasty-two handed dunks on successive possessions and added two more for good measure, including a put back. Three of those dunks came in a span of 3 1/2 minutes. He finished with a total of six rim rattlers on the way to posting 17 points and six rebounds.
“Any time you dunk the ball it gets you going,” Williams said. “They were finding me in good spots, so to get those dunks early it felt good.”
But it wasn’t strictly offense for Williams. He also helped set the tone with a career-best five blocks, providing an inside presence the Hornets sorely lack more often than not.
“Having an impact on both sides of the ball, I think I did a good job with that,” Williams said. “I think my teammates were finding me, especially when I was running the floor. But on the defensive end, I think today especially, I was really able to protect the rim with blocks and altering shots. So just trying to do that.”
McGowens settling in
It’s becoming obvious that Bryce McGowens is getting more comfortable.
McGowens is stepping into his shots with conviction and unleashing them without hesitation, unlike earlier in his rookie season when he appeared to overthink on occasion. With Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin still out nursing injuries, McGowens is being slotted sparingly at small forward and he logged 21 minutes against Houston, tossing in 10 points to go with four rebounds. He was a member of the game-closing unit.
“It really starts with the preparation part,” McGowens said. “Starting with practice every day, just staying focused and working hard on every little drill, staying focused and everything will be good. I feel like that transformed over into today’s game and if you play the right way, the basketball gods will be on your side. I feel like we played the right way today.
“While I was sitting on the bench the last few games, watching the other players on our team and how they get to their spots and different things really translated.”
Getting into a rhythm in limited action isn’t easy, though, and Clifford knows it. But he’s been impressed with McGowens’ growth.
“Bryce’s strength is his offense,” Clifford said. “His instincts, his ability to play both in transition and the halfcourt … he has very good IQ. He has good size. He’s crushing the G League. He’s not just playing well. Of all the guys that have gone down, he’s been the one that if you watch him play, he’s been terrific. He has a bright, bright future. He works, he learns quickly.”
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 10:45 PM.
