Despite a valiant effort to return to the court before the end of the season, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. With 10 games remaining on the schedule, he and the Hornets will turn their attention to a pivotal offseason. Charlotte has two new lead executives and a major decision to make with their projected top-five pick.
Nonetheless, Ball’s constant absences have been a blow to the Hornets. The franchise has had a poor reputation for years but the combination of Ball and 2023 No. 2 pick Brandon Miller feels like the start of a successful era in Charlotte. Unfortunately for the Hornets, they only saw Ball in action for 22 games this season. He and Miller were both active in just 18 of those contests, going 7-11.
Hornets Head Coach Has Unexpected Reaction to LaMelo Ball Injury
Individually, Ball continued to create highlights.
Averaging a career- and team-high 23.9 points per game this season, his blend of ball-handling, creativity, acrobatics, and shooting range is among the best in the league. He also leads the Hornets with 8.0 assists per game. A rare passer in any era, Ball’s assist numbers may reach the realm of Trae Young or Tyrese Haliburton with Terry Rozier being traded.
Ball also averaged a team-high 1.8 steals per game. His quick hands are an underrated asset. In fact, he’s averaged at least 1.5 steals per game in three of four seasons. He hasn’t become a reliable defender yet. However, he’s working for his teammates’ trust at that end.
On Thursday, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford gave his thoughts on Ball out for the last leg of the season. While often crabby, Clifford looked at the positives from Ball’s season. Focusing on his play in high-pressure moments, the longtime head coach says:
“I want to say the last nine games he played, he was top-five in scoring, top-five in assists and I think top two or three in crunch time scoring and crunch time assists.” (per Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer)
“I think it was easy to get excited about and it’s also something he can build on…,” Clifford says of Ball’s play in the clutch.
Ball is notoriously injury-prone, playing in just 58 games the past two seasons. However, Clifford believes Ball did all he could to play again this season despite what turned out to be his second consecutive season-ending ankle injury.
“Look, injuries are a part of this league,” Clifford says, “and, again, all I know is he’s been incredibly diligent. So, it’s not anybody’s fault. It’s just the way it’s worked out.”
