The Charlotte Hornets might be forced to start the 2022-23 NBA campaign without their best player. The team revealed on Tuesday that All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is currently dealing with a sprained ankle and will be out indefinitely.
Ball got hurt on Monday night in Hornets’ 107-116 loss to the Washington Wizards. The 21-year-old player was driving to the basket when he stepped on veteran Anthony Gill’s foot and rolled his ankle.
The MRI test on Tuesday revealed the sprain with the Hornets saying that Ball’s return on the court depends on how he responds to rehab.
When asked about Ball’s injury on Tuesday, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said he doesn’t know if the third overall pick in 2020 will be available for the season opener. However, he shared that the team will be ready for any scenario.
“We talked about whatever the plan is, you have to be on rehab,” Clifford added. “The better you are with it, the quicker you will get back. He was disappointed but very upbeat. It’s just part of the NBA.”
Internally, the Hornets are believed to be preparing for the start of the season without LaMelo Ball. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Ball has a Grade 2 sprain and is expected to miss the early part of the 2022-23 campaign.
Ball was coming off a great 2021-22 season in which he had career highs across the board. He averaged 20.1 points while adding 6.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists en route to his first career All-Star nod.
