How long will the Hornets’ LaMelo Ball be out for after injuring his ankle?
Having already lost one star, the Hornets have been dealt yet another blow with the loss of the other and what’s worse is there is no date of return.
With their star now set to be out for an as yet undetermined amount of time, there are serious questions facing the team as they prepare for what is likely to be a very difficult season.
LaMelo Ball out indefinitely with ankle injury
According to a team announcement on Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornets will now have to do without the services of star point guard LaMelo Ball. It is understood, that following an MRI on his left ankle, Ball has in fact sustained a Grade 2 sprain. With that said, he will not be on the roster for the start of the Hornets season and moreover, is expected to be absent until he responds positively to treatment. In case you’re wondering, Charlotte will commence their 2022-23 NBA season on October 19th against the San Antonio Spurs.
It goes without saying that this is a less than ideal situation for the Hornets. Following a subpar offseason in which they failed to add any significant talent to the roster, the Hornets are facing grim prospects with or without their star player. There have even been suggestions that the franchise should simply scrap the upcoming campaign in an effort to land either Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson in the 2023 NBA Draft. With both considered generational talents, such a move would be understandable even if implausible as an actual strategy.
What do the Charlotte Hornets do now?
If we’re honest, it’s not likely that the Hornets will make the post season next year. With Miles Bridges out indefinitely due to legal issues and now Ball as well, chances are going to be slim to say the least. Ball, who is now undoubtedly a pillar of the franchise, will probably not be out for a long period of time, but Bridges who was destined to be his ‘partner in crime’ may never play in the league again depending on how his situation plays out. What does that mean for the player who replaced Kevin Durant on the Eastern Conference All-Star team last year? We’re not sure, but he’s going to need help when he does return.
At the very least, the Hornets are working with a guy who was on the top-10 list when it came to assists last year. Vall shot 39% from beyond the arc on 7.5 attempts per game and was one of only five players in the league, to post 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds per game. Like we said, a pillar of the franchise.