The Charlotte Hornets may finally get some relief against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Star guard LaMelo Ball is close to returning after missing roughly two weeks.
Ball was listed as questionable in the Hornets’ latest injury report. Head coach Charles Lee told local media Wednesday that Ball was active on the court and looked the most ready to return versus the Hawks. Whether or not Ball plays will depend on how he does in the team’s upcoming shootaround.
The 24-year-old is averaging 19.4 points, 6 rebounds and 8.5 assists this season. He is averaging a career-high in assists and shooting a career-high 88% from the free throw line.
Charlotte will hope Ball can go as Atlanta could also get an All-Star guard back in the lineup. Atlanta guard Trae Young is listed as questionable. Young has been a full participant in practice and scrimmaged Atlanta’s G League affiliate, according to ESPN. He has been out since Oct. 29 with an MCL injury. Young averaged 17.8 points, 2 rebounds and 7.8 assists in just five games before injury this season.
What does LaMelo Ball’s return mean for the Hornets?
Of course, Ball’s return means Charlotte will be more competitive against the Hawks. His size and length gives opposing point guards problems on both sides of the court. Charlotte’s offense operates with more flow with Ball dishing out assists.
However, Ball has been a constant in trade rumors and speculation. His return makes it easier for Charlotte to shop him around before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Ball has missed the last three games with this ankle injury. He has also sat out games for rest and injuries to his wrist.
Ball has only played in more than 50 regular season games twice. This season, he is averaging less minutes per game than every other season in his career. The 2020 No. 3 overall pick has only played in 16 games this season. He is shooing just 39% from the field, the lowest percentage of his career.
Moreover, Ball has just been one of the Hornets guards dealing with injuries this year. Hornets guards Brandon Miller, Collin Sexton, and Tre Mann have also missed extensive time this season. Lee listed all three as on the mend before the Hawks game.
Headed into tonight, Miller has only played 10 games this season. The 2023 No. 2 overall pick has played in the last four contests. That means Charlotte could see Miller and Ball back on the court together very soon. Last season, Miller and Ball only played 74 games combined. It’s been hard to get an adequate look at the young core with Ball and Miller both out extensively.
Against the Hawks, Sexton was also ruled out in the latest Hornets’ injury update. This will be Sexton’s fifth-straight absence with a quadriceps injury.
Mann will also miss his ninth total game this season. He has not played since November, sitting out the Hornets’ last six games.
Charlotte currently sits in the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. They are three games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for a play-in position.
