LaMelo Ball (Ankle) Out Remainder Of Season

The Charlotte Hornets have made the decision to shut down franchise player LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season due to his ongoing ankle injuries.

Ball has been out since January 26th with right ankle tendinopathy, which will need further rehab. He’s only played 22 games this season, but his ankle injuries have been going on since last season.

Last year, Ball was only able to play 36 games before fracturing his right ankle in late February. This has caused him to be available for 58 games in two seasons, which is gut-wrenching.

For even more context on his injury history, his rookie season was cut short due to a fractured wrist. Charlotte has only been able to use him for 184 games out of a possible 328 games across four seasons.

The organization will start paying the 22-year-old his projected $204.5 million rookie scale extension next season, beginning season one of five. About $35.2 million will be paid to him for the first season.

LaMelo Ball (Ankle) Could Return Friday

After participating in shootarounds Friday morning, the Charlotte Hornets could have their franchise player return after severely injuring his ankle.

LaMelo Ball sprained his ankle on November 26th and had to miss 20 games, which is one of the reasons Charlotte has fallen in the standings. Their record is 8-27.

According to multiple reports, Ball can return Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs. The team upgraded him to questionable.

There is a very real chance fans get to see his return Friday, and if he does return, then he could be on restricted minutes.

LaMelo Ball Required To Cover “LF” Tattoo

The NBA is cracking down on a tattoo LaMelo Ball has publicly expressed on his body, but is it really that bad? Not necessarily, unless you’re a part of the NBA.

Ball has a tattoo of his “LF” logo below his left ear, which is the initial of his middle name (LaFrance) and the name of his clothing brand. Per the NBA, it violates their commercial logos policy.

Due to the policy violation, the league is forcing Ball to wear a patch, or something creative, over his tattoo. He’ll be fine as long as it’s not visible during games.

In a statement to ESPN, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: “Per the [collective bargaining agreement], players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair during games. We try to enforce the rule reasonably, in accordance with its purpose, and taking into account players’ efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner. But LaMelo Ball’s neck tattoo is in obvious violation of the rule and, accordingly, he’s required to cover it.”