LaMelo Ball News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Not starting Saturday Ball won't start Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Impact Ball will slide to the second unit in the front end of this back-to-back set, which is presumably to monitor his playing time ahead of Sunday's contest against Denver. As a result, Sion James will get the starting nod. Ball came off the bench in a loss to Indiana on Jan. 8 -- the second leg of a back-to-back -- when he contributed 33 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals over 27 minutes.

16 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

"Why he stick his tongue out afterwards": Fans lose it as LaMelo Ball calls Bronny James "strong as* nig*a" after he floors Colin Sexton The Charlotte Hornets secured a surprising 135-117 win over the LA Lakers on Saturday.

1 DAY AGO • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Deadspin | Spotlight on LaMelo Ball, Stephen Curry as Hornets visit Warriors Deadspin | Spotlight on LaMelo Ball, Stephen Curry as Hornets visit Warriors

1 DAY AGO • DEADSPIN.COM

Hornets quietly learning necessary jump is impossible without LaMelo Ball The Charlotte Hornets are discovering the hard truth: Their path to real improvement doesn’t exist without a healthy, elite LaMelo Ball.

1 DAY AGO • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Strong outing in convincing win Ball registered 30 points (10-20 FG, 9-17 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists and one block in 29 minutes during Thursday's 135-117 win over the Lakers.

Impact Ball scored at least 30 points for the second time in four games and for only the fourth time all season. He also dished out double-digit assists for the first time since Dec. 18. Ball is averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals over his past 15 appearances, but he's playing only 26.8 minutes per game during that stretch.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Deadspin | Lakers keep stumbling, fall to LaMelo Ball, Hornets at home Deadspin | Lakers keep stumbling, fall to LaMelo Ball, Hornets at home

2 DAYS AGO • DEADSPIN.COM

LaMelo Ball's promise should put fear into contenders' heart After proving capable of blowing out a contender, LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets can be disruptors in the playoff race.

2 DAYS AGO • SWARMANDSTING.COM

LaMelo Ball hits 9 3-pointers to lead Hornets to surprising 135-117 win over Luka's Lakers

LaMelo Ball scored 27 of his 30 points in the second half while tying his career high with nine 3-pointers, and the Charlotte Hornets overcame Luka Doncic’s 39 points for a 135-117...

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Hornets' Kon Knueppel gives his verdict on LaMelo Ball's future | Sporting News Trade rumors have followed Ball for months.

2 DAYS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Paces team with 25 points Ball contributed 25 points (11-24 FG, 3-11 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 117-109 loss to the Clippers.

Impact Ball scored seven consecutive points in the third quarter to put the game within striking distance, but the Clippers were ultimately able to hold off the Hornets, who have now lost three of their last four contests. After an injury-plagued start to the season, Ball has managed to rattle off 14 consecutive appearances, averaging 20.9 points, 6.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals over the span.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

"That's how he fell in love with the game" – Carmelo Anthony pushes back on LaMelo Ball criticism Anthony says LaMelo Ball plays with a rare kind of freedom.

5 DAYS AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Leonard scores 35, Harden moves to 9th place on NBA's scoring list as Clippers beat Hornets 117-109

Kawhi Leonard score 35 points and James Harden scored 32 to move into ninth place on the NBA’s career scoring list, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Charlotte Hornets 117-109...

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

HORNETS at CLIPPERS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | January 12, 2026

5 DAYS AGO • YOUTUBE

Carmelo Anthony has perfect rebuttal to inaccurate LaMelo Ball criticism LaMelo Ball has gotten unwanted flak from a lot of folks, but Carmelo Anthony appears to be a huge fan of the Charlotte Hornets star.

5 DAYS AGO • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Hornets have intriguing alternative if LaMelo Ball relationship goes south If the Charlotte Hornets have no choice but to trade LaMelo Ball, they could explore swapping him for a different star point guard.

6 DAYS AGO • SWARMANDSTING.COM

Hornets build a 47-point lead in the 1st half and rout the Jazz 150-95

Brandon Miller scored 18 points, LaMelo Ball had 17 and the Charlotte Hornets built a 47-point lead in the first half of a 150-95 rout against the Utah Jazz

JANUARY 11 • Associated Press

Charles Lee gets honest about LaMelo Ball making a rare start on the bench | Sporting News The Hornets surprised the NBA world when LaMelo Ball started on the bench against the Pacers, a decision that puzzled people.

JANUARY 11 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Returning to first unit Ball is starting against the Jazz on Saturday.

Impact As expected, Ball is back in his regular role as the Hornets' starting point guard after coming off the bench the last time out purely due to maintenance reasons. Ball is averaging 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game over his last five appearances.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

"Time is up" - Kendrick Perkins urges LaMelo Ball to demand a trade as Hornets' hierarchy shifts Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson debate LaMelo Ball's future after a surprising benching, as Perkins claims the Hornets now belong to...

JANUARY 10 • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Fixing the Warriors with a 3-team trade featuring LaMelo Ball and Zion Williamson | Sporting News Golden State loads up for a final run, Charlotte swaps All-Stars and New Orleans finally moves on.

JANUARY 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Could the Hornets trade for LaMelo Ball's former Chino Hills teammate? | Sporting News No, not Lonzo Ball.

JANUARY 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Hornets coach explains why LaMelo Ball agreed to come off the bench: "Area of his leadership, of his selflessness" Charles Lee says LaMelo’s sacrifice proves his commitment to winning

JANUARY 9 • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

LaMelo Ball learns harsh lesson following back-to-back heartbreakers The Charlotte Hornets have lost two consecutive nailbiters, and LaMelo Ball understands how he could have helped his team avoid the slide.

JANUARY 9 • SWARMANDSTING.COM

LaMelo Ball explains why he came off the bench against the Indiana Pacers | Sporting News LaMelo Ball had a rare off-the-bench game against the Pacers on Thursday, which led to a stellar performance.

JANUARY 9 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Drops 33 points with eight dimes Ball popped off for 33 points (12-24 FG, 7-15 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals over 27 minutes during Thursday's 114-112 loss to the Pacers.

Impact With Thursday's game coming as the second leg of a back-to-back set, Ball was brought off the bench in an effort to conserve his minutes, and it'll be interesting to see if that continues in future back-to-back sets. The reserve role didn't impact Ball's statistical production, as he finished with a season high in points and fell just one shy of matching his season high in triples. Ball will look to keep rolling Saturday with a favorable matchup against the Jazz.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

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LaMelo Ball hits 9 3-pointers to lead Hornets to surprising 135-117 win over Luka's Lakers

Leonard scores 35, Harden moves to 9th place on NBA's scoring list as Clippers beat Hornets 117-109

Hornets build a 47-point lead in the 1st half and rout the Jazz 150-95