How long is LaMelo Ball set to miss with his latest injury?

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Sagarneel Chakraborty

How long is Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball set to miss with his latest injury?

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball fractured his right ankle in Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, the team announced. The star guard sustained the injury in the third quarter, after he fell to the court after planting his right leg on a crossover dribble. The injury didn’t involve contact with another player and required Ball to be immediately taken off the court.

LaMelo Ball latest injury
Jan 8, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second period at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Ball left for the locker room after the injury, and X-rays revealed the fracture that the Hornets announced shortly after the 117-106 win over the Pistons. Despite revealing the extent of the unfortunate injury, the x-rays did not offer an initial prognosis or timetable for his recovery.

The injury marks a likely end to an injury-plagued season for the third-year point guard. Ball missed the first 13 games of the season with a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle. He reinjured the ankle three games into his return and was sidelined for another 11 games.

An All-Star in his second NBA season, Ball has shown progress on the court when he’s been able to play this season. In 35 games before Monday, he averaged a career-high 23.4 points and 8.5 assists alongside 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 36.7% from 3-point distance.

How have the Charlotte Hornets performed this season?

As it turns out, the Hornets have regressed heavily this season due to a number of factors.

washington wizards v charlotte hornets
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 10: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets have regressed this season after a 43-39 campaign in 2021-22 thanks in part to Ball’s injuries and the continued absence Miles Bridges after a felony domestic violence charge. They improved to 20-43 with Monday’s win, good for 14th place out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the 15-47 Pistons.

Both teams will be in the running for the top pick in the NBA lottery in a draft that features generational prospect Victor Wembanyama and elite talent Scoot Henderson.

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