Update: LaMelo Ball has been ruled out for the rest of the season

The Charlotte Hornets have announced that guard LaMelo Ball will be out for the remainder of the season to focus on rehabilitating his right ankle injury. Ball has been sidelined since January 26 due to right ankle tendinopathy.

This is the second consecutive season that Ball has faced an extended absence due to right ankle injuries. Last year, he concluded his season in late February following a right ankle fracture. He will continue his ankle rehab and engage in shooting and drills as needed, but he will not return to the court for the Hornets until the start of the 2024-25 season.

In total, the All-Star guard has played in only 58 games over the past two seasons. Additionally, Ball missed significant time in his rookie year due to a fractured wrist.

This season, Ball averaged 23.9 points, 8 assists, and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 43.3% from the field. The Hornets faced another challenging season, currently ranking 13th in the Eastern Conference. They traded Gordon Hayward and are currently on a 3-7 streak in their last 10 games.


The upcoming season will mark the first year of Ball's five-year, anticipated $204.5 million rookie scale extension, signed last summer. This extension guarantees Ball 25 percent of the cap with no options. When healthy, he's regarded as one of the best point guards in the NBA. If he can avoid injuries moving forward, the Hornets possess an intriguing young core to build around, including Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams, and possibly Miles Bridges.

Source Sports Illustrated : Hornets Officially Shut LaMelo Ball Down for the Season
Source RealGM : LaMelo Ball Out For Remainder Of Season To Rehab