The Charlotte Hornets will be without All-Star LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the 2025 season. He'll undergo two minor procedures on his right ankle and wrist, the team said on Friday.
Ball had been playing through an ankle injury since late January. After the advice of team doctors and additional specialists, he decided to shut down with ten games left. It was reportedly the 'best course of action' to be at full strength to start the 2025-26 season. This maneuver allows Ball enough time to address both issues, along with ample time to rehab before the start of training camp.
Throughout his time in Charlotte, Ball has failed to reach 50 games played in each of the past three seasons. Due in large part to a recurring ankle issue. Shutting Ball at this point is an attempt to get past these ankle issues that have kept him out of games. This also marks the second time in as many years the Hornets had to shut him down before the end of March.
Ball's 2024-25 season is a story of two different perspectives. By the numbers, some have argued that he was in the midst of a great season. Averaging a career high in points at 25.2 per game and a career-high in 3-pointers made per game (3.8). However, the opposing perspective is that while his scoring is up, he has not yet made strides in the other areas many were hoping to see by now. Most notably, production in shooting efficiency, shot selection, as well as rebounding and passing are all down over last season.
Without question, Ball is the most important asset the Hornets currently have, and if his nagging ankle injury is an ongoing hindrance to his development, the Hornets organization is doing the right thing in sitting him for the remainder of the season.
Charlotte currently has the third-worst record in the NBA, putting them firmly in contention for a top lottery pick. This could be the sweepstakes for Duke's Cooper Flagg, if not Rutgers' Ace Bailey. While few embrace the idea of tanking, this is not the objective for the Hornets.
With Ball down for the season, and a handful of other noteworthy contributors coming off injury issues of their own (Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, etc), the probability of remaining in the running for either highly touted future rookies is very strong. Not due to tanking but due to a lack of top options at this stage in the season.
The surgical procedures have not been specifically reported, but an ankle and then later wrist surgeries should be expected sooner rather than later. To allow time for him to effectively rehab both in time for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM.