Why LaMelo Ball isn't playing tonight vs. Pelicans, injury update

5 days ago 1

The Charlotte Hornets are listing LaMelo Ball as retired ahead of tonight’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Ball is dealing with a close ankle impingement and volition miss his 2nd consecutive game.

This isn’t what Hornets fans were hoping to hear, arsenic their prima constituent defender continues to conflict ankle issues aboriginal successful the 2025–26 regular season. Although it’s unclear however Ball suffered the injury, Charlotte volition look for alternate scoring options against a struggling 0–6 Pelicans roster.

Ball has been red-hot crossed six starts, averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.7 steals successful 33.3 minutes per game. He presently leads the squad successful 4 of the 5 large statistical categories, proving conscionable however invaluable helium is to the Hornets’ success.

Charlotte managed to past without Ball successful Sunday’s 126–103 triumph implicit the Utah Jazz, receiving outstanding performances from Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel. The duo combined for 53 points, with Knueppel shooting supra 50% from the field. Moussa Diabate added 17 points and 11 rebounds, portion Tre Mann chipped successful 13 points disconnected the bench.

The Hornets person exceeded preseason expectations contempt facing aggregate injuries, including Brandon Miller, who remains sidelined for astatine slightest 2 much weeks. With Ball present joining the list, Charlotte volition request to get originative connected the violative extremity to support momentum.

Luckily, the Pelicans aren’t adjacent to afloat spot either. Yves Missi, Zion Williamson, and DeJounte Murray person each been listed arsenic either questionable oregon retired for tonight’s contest. New Orleans has yet to grounds a triumph done its archetypal six games and volition beryllium anxious to capitalize connected Charlotte’s short-handed lineup.

As for Ball, helium remains without a wide timetable for instrumentality but could beryllium reevaluated up of Friday night’s matchup against the Miami Heat.