LaMelo Ball, the All-Star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets is now out for the season, as his 2023-24 NBA campaign has concluded. He recently had two small, non-invasive procedures to address long-gestating concerns with his right ankle and wrist. Known for his exceptional performance on the court, Ball played through pain in recent weeks, but consultations with medical professionals led to the decision to prioritize his long-term health and rehabilitation. As for the procedures, they spell an end to what has been a remarkable 2019 scoring season for the young athlete.
Ball’s ongoing ankle issues have plagued him for years now, making it a foreboding red flag over his career. This season, following an ankle sprain in November 2023, he started feeling worse and eventually found himself where he is today. Even with this disappointment, Ball accomplished an extraordinary feat. In fact, he kept the second highest usage rate in the entire NBA while averaging a sick 25.2 points per game. He made history, becoming the first player in Hornets’ history to average at least 25 points and 7 assists per game in a season.
Over his short career with the Hornets, Ball has continued to prove his skill and toughness. This past 2021-22 season, Nunn played a career-high 75 games. But injuries have time and again cut short his progress. Consequently, Fournier has missed at least 25 games a year over the last three seasons. His recent history of ankle issues included surgery on his right ankle earlier in 2023.
This season, Ball set a franchise-record with six games of at least 25 points. He even provided 10 assists in those eye-catching displays. These were great successes, for him, a pattern of regular injuries became the main theme. He didn’t want to risk doing more harm, so he decided to focus on rehabilitation. This decision is especially perplexing, considering Ball was having a career year in terms of scoring.
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