Friday afternoon, ESPN's Shams Charania announced that Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the NBA season with several ailments.
The Charlotte Hornets will now be without two of its biggest stars for the remainder of the season: LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
According to Charania, Ball will undergo two minor procedures to his ankle and wrist. Having missed 25 games this season due to various injuries, it's been confirmed Ball has toughed it out.
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes two minor procedures to address ankle and wrist issues, sources tell ESPN. Ball showed toughness, playing through pain in recent weeks, before he and team consulted doctors on best course forward. pic.twitter.com/PrpWrjaXuW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2025
LaMelo Ball Played Through Injuries All Season
Even through the ailments, the California native was having a career-year. Though limited to 47 games, Ball averaged a personal best 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.4 rebounds per game. With those numbers, Ball averaged a career-low 40.5 percent from the field, and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc.
This isn't the first time Ball has dealt with injuries. Now in his fifth NBA season, No. 1 hasn't played over 70 games since the 2021-2022 season, one in which Ball was named an NBA All-Star. Considered one of the most talented, crafty guards in the league, this isn't Ball's first rodeo with ankle injuries. Fracturing his ankle just a few seasons ago, Ball has been limited to 105 games over the last three seasons.
Ball, who signed a 5-year $260 million extension with the Hornets in 2023, remains the core piece of their roster. Despite drafting Brandon Miller, the Hornets have continued to deal with multiple injuries.
LaMelo Ball Will Aim For Full Health And A Bright Future With The Hornets
In his tenure with the Hornets, Ball has yet to make the playoffs, and the Hornets only had one winning season. In five years, the Hornets have a 142-248 record since drafting the former Chino Hills star.
It makes sense for Charlotte to shut Ball down, who owns the third worse record in the NBA. With playoff hopes out of sight, the best Charlotte can do is continue to build around Ball through the draft.
Per Charania, Ball was the first player in Hornets history to average 25 points and seven assists in a season. Having to cut it short, props to LaMelo for toughing it out for as long as he did. Having to get shut down for the second consecutive season, the entire basketball world is wishing LaMelo Ball a speedy and healthy recovery.
With the trade fall out with the Lakers mid season, perhaps the Hornets can continue to build around a healthy core of Ball, Miller, and Mark Williams. With an abundance of first and second round draft picks, it's a smart move for Charlotte. It gives Ball ample amount of time to rest and recover to compete next season under first year head coach Charles Lee.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut.
