Hornets

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.