LAMELO BALL NEWS

Remains sidelined Sunday Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Ball's timetable to retake the floor remains open, but he will skip a third straight tilt to open the season Sunday. Making things worse for the Hornets, backup point guard Terry Rozier (ankle) is also doubtful for the tilt, presumably leaving Dennis Smith, James Bouknight and Theo Maledon as the team's primary options on the ball.

OCTOBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Atlanta and Charlotte square off in conference showdown

Charlotte faces Atlanta for an Eastern Conference matchup Sunday

OCTOBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Valanciunas has big night, helps Pelicans beat Hornets

Jonas Valanciunas had 30 points and 17 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans spoiled the Charlotte Hornets’ home opener with a wire-to-wire 124-112 victory Friday night

OCTOBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hornets host the Pelicans in non-conference action

Charlotte hosts New Orleans in out-of-conference play

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains out Friday Ball (ankle) will remain sidelined for Friday's game against the Pelicans.

Impact Ball doesn't have a clear-cut timetable for his return to action from a Grade 2 ankle sprain, so his status should be monitored on a game-to-game basis. Terry Rozier should continue to operate as the team's primary point guard in his absence, while Kelly Oubre took over the fifth starting spot in the opener.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Who were those guys? What we learned in the Hornets' season-opening win in San Antonio Terry Rozier finished with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead Charlotte – playing without injured LaMelo Ball – to a 129-102 vi...

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • THESTATE.COM

Out for opener Ball (ankle) will not play during Wednesday's season opener against the Spurs, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Unsurprisingly, Ball's Grade 2 ankle sprain will keep him out Wednesday, and fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the third-year point guard is shelved for another week or so. In the meantime, Terry Rozier will pick up more playmaking responsibilities, which should open up minutes on the wing for Cody Martin, Kelly Oubre and Jalen McDaniels.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Clifford Reveals Starting Five for Season Opener Charlotte will likely be without LaMelo Ball to begin the year.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

LaMelo Ball is 'Doubtful' for Season Opener Not the best start for the Hornets.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Hornets' LaMelo Ball unlikely to play in season opener

Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball is expected to miss Wednesday night’s regular season opener against the San Antonio Spurs with a sprained left ankle

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Doubtful for season opener Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said Ball (ankle) is "highly doubtful" for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Spurs, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Clifford's comments aren't too surprising considering Ball hasn't practiced since suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain in an Oct. 10 preseason game against the Wizards. If the 21-year-old misses Wednesday's tilt, Terry Rozier would likely slide into the starting point guard role while Dennis Smith would likely see extra run off the bench as his main backup.

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

San Antonio begins season at home against Charlotte

The San Antonio Spurs host the Charlotte Hornets for the season opener

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NBA's Eastern Conference has many contenders, many questions

Talent is spread all over the Eastern Conference

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tests confirm LaMelo Ball's injury. What it means for him and the Hornets LaMelo Ball’s availability for the Charlotte Hornets’ season opener is in jeopardy.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

REPORT: LaMelo Ball Set to Miss Start of the Season Due to Ankle Injury | SLAM LaMelo Ball will miss the start of the 2022-23 campaign after reportedly suffering a grade two ankle sprain on Monday against the Washington...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • SLAMONLINE.COM

LaMelo Ball suffers left ankle sprain, out rest of preseason Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and will miss an undisclosed period of time, the team announced Tu...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Sidelined with Grade 2 ankle sprain Ball was diagnosed Tuesday with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and is slated to miss the start of the regular season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ball is a borderline first-round selection in many fantasy formats, but this news drops him down the ranks a bit. The exact timetable for his return to action remains unclear, but he will miss the remainder of the preseason and likely some regular-season action. More information on his status should surface as Opening Night approaches. For as long as he's sidelined, head coach Steve Clifford may shift Terry Rozier to point guard, while Cody Martin and Kelly Oubre are strong candidates to join the starting five. Dennis Smith and James Bouknight are deep-league considerations.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets relying on LaMelo Ball, young draft picks to emerge

The Charlotte Hornets are relying on the continued growth of All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball and the development of a host of young draft picks to help them take the next step aft...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LaMelo Ball, Mason Plumlee to Miss Preseason Finale vs 76ers Charlotte will be without a couple of starters on Wednesday night.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Ball's ankle sprain confirmed, status for opener unclear

An MRI shows point guard LaMelo Ball has only a sprained left ankle and no significant long-term injury

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slated for MRI Coach Steve Clifford indicated Tuesday that Ball (ankle) will undergo an MRI in the afternoon, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact The Hornets have already ruled Ball out for the preseason finale, but the MRI may provide more intel regarding his availability for the season opener versus the Spurs on Oct. 19. When healthy, Ball figures to be a premier fantasy option in 2022-23 coming off of career marks of 20.1 points, 7.6 assists and 6.7 boards over 32.3 minutes per game last season.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

How long is LaMelo Ball out? Ankle injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Hornets star Here's everything we know about LaMelo Ball's injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

To miss preseason finale Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's preseason game against Washington, Jason Owens of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Impact Ball suffered an ankle sprain during Monday's exhibition, and while the team is hopeful that the point guard's injury isn't serious, they likely won't know more until he's re-evaluated over the next few days. He'll be held out of the preseason finale Wednesday to maximize his recovery time with the hope that he'll be ready in time for the regular-season opener against the Spurs on Oct. 19.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE