Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball is in the middle of a hot start in the 2023-24 NBA season; however, he recently faced his first setback due to an ankle injury.
The 22-year-old sustained a right ankle strain during a regular season game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, November 26, on the road at the Amway Center.
The electrifying point guard suffered an awkward fall in the second quarter while attempting a layup against Magic star Paolo Banchero, requiring assistance to be carried to the locker room.
The Hornets announced that Ball had picked up a strained right ankle and would not be making a return to the game.
Remarkably, the right ankle that sustained the recent injury is identical to the one on which he underwent surgery in March for an ankle fracture. This previous injury had led to him missing the remainder of the season.
LaMelo Ball avoids fracture
According to Spencer Percy of the Buzz Beat Podcast, the 2022 NBA All-Star managed to avoid a second right ankle fracture after X-ray results returned negative.
An MRI is scheduled within the next few hours to determine the extent of Ball's ankle injury, which could reveal ligament damage. Such a scenario could cause the 6-foot-7 guard to be sidelined for a lengthy period.
Despite dodging a fracture, Ball is listed as doubtful for the Hornets' NBA In-Season Tournament game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, November 28, on the road at the Madison Square Garden.
Ankle strain recovery time
If Ball's MRI results show no significant issues and he is diagnosed with only an ankle strain, it would be the most favorable scenario among the endless possibilities of his injury.
Nevertheless, even if the diagnosis reveals only an ankle strain, the Hornets star is expected to be sidelined for a lengthy period, as these injuries typically require at least two weeks for noticeable improvement.
The recovery timeline could extend to as many as eight weeks or even a few months.
LaMelo Ball is having a sensational season
Ball is currently averaging career highs in points, putting up 24.7 points per contest, alongside 5.5 boards and 8.2 assists while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three-point land in 33.4 minutes per game.
The 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year is slated to earn $10,900,635 this season in the final year of his rookie scale contract, per HoopsHype.
He signed an enormous max contract extension this past offseason to remain with the Hornets. The deal is valued at $206 million over five years, potentially escalating to $260 million should Ball achieve specific incentives, such as earning a spot on an All-NBA Team in the upcoming seasons.
The Hornets hold a 5-10 win-loss record, placing them in the 12th position in the Eastern Conference standings.
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