Hornets shut down LaMelo Ball for rest of season with ankle injury
The Charlotte Hornets are shutting down guard LaMelo Ball for the season.
Ball has not played since Jan. 27 for the Hornets (18-54), who've been eliminated from postseason competition. Charlotte has missed the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest drought in the NBA.
The 22-year-old Ball, who signed a five-year max contract extension in July, has had repeated problems with ankle injuries since coming into the league and has played in just 58 games over the last two seasons.
Ball had been playing well before going out, averaging a career-high 23.9 points per game this season. Ball was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and an All-Star the following season.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Bucks' Damian Lillard has MRI on Achilles, could miss Game 4 vs. Pacers
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, puts T-Wolves on brink of sweep of Suns
-
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
Celtics take 2-1 lead in series vs. Heat with wire-to-wire win in Miami
Lakers force Game 5 in Denver with 119-108 win over Nuggets at home
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder roll to 3-0 series lead with 106-85 win over the Pelicans
Which NBA teams have never won a championship?
2024 Bronny James NBA Draft odds: Lakers aiming to pair LeBron-Bronny?
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Bucks' Damian Lillard has MRI on Achilles, could miss Game 4 vs. Pacers
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, puts T-Wolves on brink of sweep of Suns
-
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
Celtics take 2-1 lead in series vs. Heat with wire-to-wire win in Miami
Lakers force Game 5 in Denver with 119-108 win over Nuggets at home
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder roll to 3-0 series lead with 106-85 win over the Pelicans
Which NBA teams have never won a championship?
2024 Bronny James NBA Draft odds: Lakers aiming to pair LeBron-Bronny?