The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Indiana Pacers last night 125-113. LaMelo Ball was in his third game of the season after missing the first 13 games. Last night he led the Hornets with 26 points and had six assists and five three-pointers in the game. With 1:34 left in the game, he dove for a loose ball and kicked the fans on the field, injuring his left ankle.
This should have been a disaster event for the Hornets. Ball was only back for three games before he was injured in a concussion and was visibly upset as he left the court. It was his first home game of the season. NBA betting sites have the Hornets at (+30000) to win the Finals this season.
LaMelo rolls his ankle after the ball kicks a fan’s leg.
Had a career high 26 PTS (5/8 3PT) and 6 AST. pic.twitter.com/3I7OlcbYRV
– Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 17, 2022
LaMelo Ball sprained his ankle in last night’s loss to the Pacers
Hornets head coach Steve Clifford had no immediate information about Balls’ injury after the game. It was the same ankle that caused him to miss Charlotte’s first 13 games of the season. “Tonight was very good,” his coach said in the press conference after the games. The Hornets have been riddled with injuries this season.
Cody Martin played just one game this season with quad and knee problems that eventually required surgery. Gordon Hayward has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury and Dennis Smith Jr. has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle. Terry Rozier has also missed seven games this season with an ankle injury.
A few Hornets players spoke to the media after the game and gave their thoughts on the injury pile the Hornets have faced this season.
“It’s tough but we have to be professional about it”… “It’s a basketball game and these things happen. But the people who are fit and healthy enough to go out there have to take that slack. – Kelly Oubre Jr.
“We all know that at some point everyone is going to get back there, and we can’t wait”… “But right now, the problem is we’re losing games, so we have to recognize the problem and start over.” Getting some wins” – PJ Washington
The Hornets have a 4-12 record on the season and have struggled to get wins.
