He’s back: Hornets’ LaMelo Ball returns, but Charlotte loses yet another key player to injury
Avid fans probably rubbed their eyes a few times and pinched their skin once or twice to make sure they weren’t hallucinating or dreaming.
Watching LaMelo Ball on the floor together with Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams is a rare sight, a scenario that hasn’t happened very often — certainly not as much as anyone associated with the Charlotte Hornets longed for. So, that’s what made Monday night’s outing against Philadelphia all the more different.
Well, for three quarters anyway.
Bolstered by Ball’s return from a sore left calf, the Hornets had their own version of the Core Four available for the first time since Nov. 26, 2023. It’s been that long. However, in typical fashion, the excitement morphed into angst, frustration and bewilderment late in the Hornets’ 121-108 loss to the 76ers at Spectrum Center on Monday night.
Miller sprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter and couldn’t finish the game, marring what was supposed to be a feel-good occasion.
“I think that he might have stepped on a foot in front of our bench — I’m not sure whose — then going down the other way, he drives on I believe it was (Paul) George and lays it in,” coach Charles Lee said. “And then just as he came down, he tweaked it. We’ll evaluate him, and I know our performance staff will be on top of it.”
So, in essence, the Hornets’ good health lasted all of just two hours of real game time. And it’s anyone’s guess when they will actually be whole again.
“It’s always tough seeing one of the players get hurt,” Bridges said. “But I hope everything is fine with him and we control what we can control.”
At least the Hornets (7-19) had their engine to rev things up a bit more.
Sidelined since Nov. 27 and for the past seven games after feeling something on the final play of the Hornets’ loss to Miami. Ball returned to his customary starting point guard spot for the outing added to the schedule when neither team advanced out of the group stage of the NBA Cup, posting 15 points, 11 assists and five rebounds in 25 restricted minutes.
And the Hornets were thrilled Ball finally got cleared for takeoff again, allowing him to pick up where he left off before soreness crept into his calf the night before Thanksgiving.
“I thought he looked good,” Lee said. “I thought that defensively, he was engaged and executing coverages pretty well. His on-ball defense was good. Offensively, we got to see some of his ability to playmake, and create shots for himself and for his teammates. “He’s got to shake some of the rust, but he’ll just keep getting better and better every game.”
That’s Ball’s plan and he’s confident he can regain the good form he was in prior to suffering the soft tissue injury.
“I felt good,” Ball said. “Honestly, just happy to be back and get the feet up under you. So, I felt all right.
“Yeah, just a rhythm (thing). I feel like just a couple of more games. Or next game, honestly. So, I think I felt good.”
While the Hornets’ star guard is in the mix again, that’s not the case for Tre Mann. Although the reserve guard has started light court work and also resumed weight room activities, he’s at minimum, two weeks away from potentially rejoining his teammates in practice as he rehabs disc irritation in his lower back.
But Lee remains encouraged by Mann’s slight progress.
“He loves to hoop,” Lee said. “He is such a hooper. For him, I was so happy to see the last few days he’s making a little bit more progress. He had a big smile on his face as he’s able to all of a sudden do more and more in the weight room, and then getting that carrot to be able to start to do some light stuff on the court.
“Very happy for him because if you go through injuries, you’re missing games, you’re missing being out with your guys and the game that we love so much, and it can take a mental toll on you. I’m happy for the progress that he is making.”
Aside from Mann’s absence and losing Grant Williams — who had successful surgery to repair a torn ACL and torn medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee last week — for the season, the Hornets are getting relatively healthy. They’ve welcomed Nick Richards, Mark Williams, Tidjane Salaün and Bridges into the fold over the past two weeks, bringing them closer to full strength than they’ve been in quite some time.
“It’s always great getting them back, getting guys back,” Ball said. “I’m just excited to play for real.”
Particularly with Mark Williams.
“Yeah, he’s 7-2, can move, all that type of stuff,” Ball said. “So, it’s just great just having Mark back. And he knows how to play. So, that’s always great, too. Pick-and-roll, he knows how to move. Great player.”
Prior to getting banged up, Ball ranked first in the NBA in total points, second in points per game, second in total made 3-pointers and second in 3-pointers per game. He was especially impressive in the game’s final quarter and crunch time, leading the league in fourth quarter points, field goals and 3-pointers per game.
Those gaudy numbers make it challenging for the opposition to slow Ball down and should open things up for Williams on the interior, allowing the duo to flourish in ways they haven’t been able to previously due to their respective injuries.
In the first quarter alone, Ball and Williams hooked up for an alley-oop and Ball also connected with Williams on a nifty wraparound pass between Philadelphia big man Andre Drummond.
They’re just scratching the surface.
“For sure,” Williams said. “I think whenever he’s on the floor, it’s just the gravity toward him. Teams are going to focus on him a lot. And, obviously, me getting back in rhythm, teams are going to have to make that choice between me or him.
“So I just think it makes it that much tougher. I’m excited for teams to try to figure that out.”
He’s not the only one.
“I think that what he adds is obviously one of the top scorers in the NBA right now,” Lee said. “There have been times where we’ve struggled offensively. Maybe on a possession of trying to get some things done, type of playmaking or create some more catch-and-shoot opportunities for people.
“So, I think that by having him back, by having Miles back, you have Brandon — who I thought grew a ton in their absence and (was) seeing a lot of different coverages and matchups — he’ll just continue to add to our offensive firepower. I thought before his injury, defensively, he was really locked in on tendencies and his activity on the defensive glass was really important the last few games. So, just an overall boost to our lineup.”
This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 1:17 PM.
