Hornets shut down LaMelo Ball for rest of season with ankle injury

The 2021 Rookie of the Year averaged a career-high 23.9 points over 22 games this season.

The Associated Press

March 28, 2024 8:33 PM

LaMelo Ball has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Jan. 27.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets are shutting down guard LaMelo Ball for the season.

INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season as he continues to rehab from his right ankle injury.

— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) March 28, 2024

Ball has not played since Jan. 27 for the Hornets (18-54), who’ve been eliminated from postseason competition. Charlotte has missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest drought in the NBA.

The 22-year-old Ball, who signed a five-year max contract extension in July, has had repeated problems with ankle injuries since coming into the league and has played in just 58 games over the last two seasons.

Ball had been playing well before going out, averaging a career-high 23.9 points per game this season. Ball was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and an All-Star the following season.