LaMelo Ball has been a downer for the Charlotte Hornets this season, but he will miss the next two weeks with a strained left calf. announced the team on Saturday.
Ball, 23, missed Friday’s 99-98 loss to the New York Knicks as the Hornets were eliminated from the NBA Cup. He was listed on the injury report as out due to illness, but he was injured more seriously. Ball suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat.
Over the past four games, Ball has averaged 40 points, including a 50-point effort last Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He is averaging 31.1 points per game this season, trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo among the NBA’s scoring leaders.
However, the goal score did not help the Hornets win games. Charlotte has lost four straight and eight of its last 10 heading into Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. At 6-13, the Hornets are 12th in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Southeast Division.
Injuries have been a problem throughout Ball’s career. Since playing in 75 games as a sophomore, Ball has appeared in a total of 76 games over the last three seasons. He played in just 22 games last season after undergoing surgery on his right ankle and then battling lingering pain. Ankle injuries limited him to 36 games during the 2022-23 season.
Charlotte lost forward Grant Williams for the season last week with a torn ACL. Centers Mark Williams (foot strain) and Nick Richards (broken rib) were unavailable and Miles Bridges missed two weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee. Still, Ball’s injury will be the most impactful given how well he’s been playing.