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[Saba Sports News] Some major news dropped Friday regarding Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.
The team has officially shut Ball down for the remainder of the 2024–25 season as they limp toward the finish line. The 22-year-old guard has been battling persistent ankle and wrist injuries and has opted to undergo two separate surgical procedures to address them, per reports.
Ball appeared in just 47 of the Hornets’ 72 games this season, missing 25 due to injury. Despite the missed time, he was putting together a career-best campaign, averaging 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
With the Hornets sitting at 18–54—third-worst in the league—there’s little incentive to push Ball back into action. Prioritizing his long-term health and improving their draft lottery odds is the logical route for Charlotte.
Unfortunately, injuries have become a recurring theme in Ball’s young career. His high mark for games played came in 2021–22 with 75.
Since then, he’s appeared in just 22 games last season and 36 the year before, both shortened by ankle issues. Friday’s shutdown came after he was already ruled out for the game due to an ankle impingement, making the decision feel inevitable.
Now, Ball will shift his focus to recovery, hoping to finally put together a healthy season in year six.