What is the Extent of LaMelo Ball's Injury After Exiting Hornets vs. Raptors?

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not return to Friday night's game against the Toronto Raptors after exiting in the third quarter with "left ankle soreness," the team announced.

Ball exited the game with 10:09 remaining in the quarter. The Hornets were leading 55-49 at the time.

He had recorded 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field while going 0-for-4 from deep prior to his exit.

Ball appeared to slip while defending Raptors guard Jamal Shead in the third quarter.

He was examined by head athletic trainer Pete Elliott on the sideline before he left for the locker room.

Ball had missed seven of the Hornets' first 24 games during the team's 6-16 start to the season.

Through that span Ball saw his production dip to 19.9 points per game, his lowest mark since his rookie 2020-21 campaign, although he was also recording a career-high 8.9 assists per contest heading into Friday night's contest.

Ball has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including right ankle issues that limited him to just 22 games in 2023-24.

He then appeared in just 47 games last season while dealing with recurrent left ankle issues.

Ball, 24, is playing in the second year of a five-year, $203.9 million deal with the Hornets.

He has been the subject of trade rumors this season, although he has seemingly pushed back against suggestions that he is open to a move away from Charlotte.

The Hornets return to action Sunday with a 6 p.m. ET home game against the Denver Nuggets. Charlotte's backcourt depth could be seriously tested if Ball misses time given that Collin Sexton, Tre Mann and Pat Connaughton were also sidelined for Friday's game.