Hornets’ LaMelo Ball re-evaluated after injury. The latest on Charlotte’s star guard
That unmistakable, boisterous laugh was audible in Spectrum Center’s underbelly hallways again Friday morning, and it can only mean one thing.
LaMelo Ball is on the mend and feeling much, much better.
The Charlotte Hornets star point guard received good news during his re-evaluation on Thursday, signaling steady improvement with his sprained right ankle. Ball, who shed his walking boot and crutches earlier this week, has started individual activities and will be re-evaluated once more next week as he advances further in his rehab, the team announced.
Considering multiple reports suggested he would be sidelined for a lengthy period of time after he initially went down in the first quarter in Orlando on Nov. 26, Ball’s increased progress should be considered a positive development. Although he hasn’t returned to practice yet, Ball has been spotted bearing full weight on his ankle and firing off a jumper two once the team sessions are over, likely trying to keep that good shooting form he had going prior to getting injured.
Ball averaged 33.8 points in his past five games before his ankle twisted awkwardly against the Magic. He hasn’t made it through a full schedule since entering the league three years ago, logging only 36 games last season due to injuring his ankles four times.
Without Ball for the better part of the past two weeks, the Hornets have gone 1-3 in his absence and are eager for him — and everyone else on the injury list — to return. But they also understand there’s no excuses with Ball and the others out.
“Like I’ve said before, it’s not about just one player,” rookie Brandon Miller said Friday. “It’s a team game. Everybody has been locked in for 48 minutes. Coming in and getting treatment, I think that’s important, just to have those guys back before (the end of) December.”
