After suffering an alarming mid-game injury on Monday, All-Star Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball appears to have avoided a long-term issue.
Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports that the 6’7″ pro is slated to be sidelined for at least a week before his status is reappraised.
During the second quarter of an eventual 112-107 defeat to the Lakers, Ball hurt his ankle after nailing a one-footed three-point jumper, when he inadvertently stepped on the foot of Los Angeles forward Jarred Vanderbilt. Ball fell and hit his head, stopped play with a deliberate foul, and limped to the locker room.
He was quickly ruled out for Charlotte’s bout with Brooklyn on Wednesday, a 104-83 loss. The defeat dropped the Hornets to a 12-32 record on the year. Charlotte currently has the fourth-best odds of landing the top pick in this summer’s draft.
Ball has struggled with his health throughout his NBA career. The 2021 Rookie of the Year has only appeared in more than 51 games once thus far across his previous four complete seasons.
In 31 healthy games this year, the 23-year-old is averaging 28.2 points, 7.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals, while providing plenty of highlight reel-worthy plays.