LaMelo Ball News, Rumors, Updates - Charlotte Hornets

Not starting Wednesday Ball is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cavs.

Impact The Hornets have been bringing Ball off the bench in the first game of back-to-back sets to help conserve his minutes, and it looks like that trend will continue Wednesday. Through two games as a reserve this season, Ball owns averages of 24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 triples and 1.5 steals in 23.9 minutes per contest.

3 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hornets couldn't ask for a better incentive to trade LaMelo Ball The Charlotte Hornets could have a good reason to move on from LaMelo Ball at this year's trade deadline or during the summer.

11 HOURS AGO • SWARMANDSTING.COM

"That's tanking right in front of your face" – Draymond Green blasts the Hornets for intentionally losing games Green questions why a max player like LaMelo Ball is coming off the bench.

1 DAY AGO • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Charlotte hosts Cleveland on home slide

Charlotte heads into a matchup against Cleveland as losers of four straight home games

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Brandon Miller scores 23 to lead Hornets over injury-depleted Nuggets 110-87

Brandon Miller scored 23 points, Tidjane Salaun came off the bench for 13 points and 11 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets blew past the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets 110-87 on S...

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Starting Sunday Ball will start against the Nuggets on Sunday.

Impact After coming off the bench in Saturday's loss to Golden State, Ball will return to the starting five. Over nine appearances (seven starts) this month, the 24-year-old point guard has averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 26.0 minutes per game. With Ball back in the starting five, Sion James will slide to the second unit.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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.

4 DAYS 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.

4 DAYS 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

4 DAYS 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.

5 DAYS 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.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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

5 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.

5 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...

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

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

6 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.

JANUARY 13 • 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.

JANUARY 13 • 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...

JANUARY 13 • Associated Press

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

JANUARY 13 • 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.

JANUARY 13 • 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.

JANUARY 12 • 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

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Charlotte hosts Cleveland on home slide

Brandon Miller scores 23 to lead Hornets over injury-depleted Nuggets 110-87

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