Report: Hornets' LaMelo Ball Out at Least 1 Week with Sprained Ankle Injury
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will miss at least a week due to a left ankle sprain, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Ball suffered the injury against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday and was quickly ruled out, the team announced.
Prior to his departure he had seven points, one assist and one rebound.
Ball had drilled a three-pointer off one foot before taking a few steps back and stepping on the heel of Lakers power forward Jared Vanderbilt, rolling his ankle and falling to the ground.
The former third pick in the NBA draft was able to stand before intentionally fouling to stop the clock, then walking immediately toward the locker room.
Ball has had a history of ankle injuries, being limited to just 58 games in his last two seasons due to ankle issues, according to NBA.com's Steve Reed. His transition into wearing ankle braces for extra support began last April.
"I'm going to see over the summer, try some stuff," Ball said of the ankle braces, per Reed. "My favorite thing to do is play basketball and to not be able to do it is just horrible... That fact that I got this summer (to be healthy), I'm going to take it and get it as strong I can to get out there and play."
The 23-year-old is having a stellar season with the 12-32 Hornets, averaging 28.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
The Hornets sit second to last in the NBA Eastern Conference, only ahead of the 6-38 Washington Wizards. Losing Ball for an extended stretch will only make it more difficult for the squad to compete.
