LaMelo Ball to miss rest of NBA season with Charlotte Hornets eliminated from play-off contention

The Charlotte Hornets have confirmed that LaMelo Ball will miss the rest of the NBA season as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Ball, 22, has been out of action since January 26 when he aggravated his right ankle in a 138-104 loss against the Houston Rockets.

He had previously missed a month due to an ankle sprain and had only returned to court on January 12.

The Hornets are officially out of contention for a play-off spot in the NBA and they have elected not to rush Ball back and instead focus on him being fit for next season.

Ball had been enjoying a career-high 23.9 points per game (ppg) in the NBA this season and was a particular force in November during a run where he averaged 30ppg.

However, he has now played just 58 games combined in the past two seasons and is under contract until the end of the 2028-29 season having signed the designated rookie max extension in July.

The 2023-24 season will mark the eighth straight year that the Hornets have missed the play-off.

They are one of eight teams already eliminated alongside the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.

The Hornets currently sit fourth in the NBA Draft Order standings ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery which will take place on Sunday, May 12.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media