After undergoing additional evaluation, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a left calf strain. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Hornets game vs. Miami on Nov. 27. Ball, who missed Friday’s game vs. New York due to left calf soreness, is listed as out tonight vs. Atlanta and will be reevaluated two weeks from the date the injury occurred.
Ball has averaged career highs this season in points (31.1) and 3-pointers (4.7), both of which rank second in the NBA, in addition to recording 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 contests (18 starts). He has appeared in 202 games (182 starts) in five seasons since being selected by the Hornets with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and he holds career marks of 21.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals. Ball was named the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year and was selected as an All-Star in 2021-22, and he is the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (10).
