LAMELO BALL NEWS

Fantasy basketball roundup: The returns of Draymond Green and LaMelo Ball, a Pistons trade and more Stan Son explains how the returns of Draymond Green and LaMelo Ball will impact their teams, shares fallout from the Detroit trade and more.

JANUARY 17 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Well-rounding showing in defeat Ball had 21 points (9-24 FG, 3-12 3Pt), 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 30 minutes during Sunday's 104-87 loss to the Heat.

Impact Ball led all Hornets in rebounds and steals to go along with a handful of assists and finishing as one of three players with 20 or more points in a losing effort. Ball hauled in 10 or more rebounds twice this season, tallying at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in both of those outings. Ball has scored 20 or more points over his last two games.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

NBA Reverses Decision Requiring LaMelo Ball to Cover Neck Tattoo, per Report The league originally ruled that tattoo a violation.

JANUARY 13 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Scores 28 in return Ball finished Friday's 135-99 loss to the Spurs with 28 points (5-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 15-16 FT), three rebounds, five assists and five steals over 27 minutes.

Impact Ball had some struggles from the field and lacked the explosiveness he usually has, but that's to be expected given this was his first game since Nov. 26. His accuracy from the free throw line saved his fantasy output, but Ball should go nowhere but up as he ramps up and gets more time on the court. Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks following his first game back, he should be able to handle his regular workload when the Hornets take on the Heat on Sunday.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Hornets' LaMelo Ball dazzles in return from 20-game absence Hornets guard LaMelo Ball finished with 28 points, 5 assists and 5 steals in his 1st game since spraining his right ankle Nov. 26 at Orlando...

JANUARY 13 • NBA.COM

Wembanyama has 26 points and 11 rebounds, Spurs spoil Ball's return to Hornets

Victor Wembanyama had 26 points and 11 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs routed Charlotte 135-99 on Friday night, spoiling Hornets star LaMelo Ball’s return from a 20-game absence

JANUARY 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ball returning to Hornets starting lineup against Spurs after 20-game absence due to sprained ankle

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is returning from a 20-game absence and will start against the San Antonio Spurs

JANUARY 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LaMelo Ball Officially Active vs. Spurs, Three Others Downgraded to Out Tonight’s injury report for the Charlotte Hornets.

JANUARY 13 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Officially available Ball (ankle) is officially cleared to play in Friday's game in San Antonio.

Impact Things had been trending in this direction for Ball, who has been sidelined since Nov. 26 due to a right ankle sprain. Given the length of his absence, expect at least some sort of minutes restriction for the star guard. He had scored at least 30 points in seven of his previous nine games before suffering the injury.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Report: Hornets G LaMelo Ball set to return Friday Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is expected to return Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported.Ball has been out...

JANUARY 12 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Report: LaMelo Ball Expected to Return vs. Spurs Finally, some good news for the Charlotte Hornets.

JANUARY 12 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

LaMelo Ball expected to return tonight from injury Adrian Wojnarowski: Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball — out since late November with an ankle sprain — is expected to return vs. the San An...

JANUARY 12 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Expected to play Ball (ankle), who's officially listed as questionable, is expected to play in Friday's game versus the Spurs after participating in Charlotte's morning shootaround, Adrian Wojnarow...

Impact Ball hasn't played since Nov. 26 due to a right ankle sprain, so if he's cleared to suit up, it's safe to expect at least some sort of restrictions for the superstar point guard. He was off to a stellar start, scoring at least 30 points in eight of his previous nine appearances before suffering the injury, averaging 32.2 points, 8.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 37.4 minutes per game during that stretch.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Ball (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Ball has been sidelined since late November due to a right ankle sprain, but he's been ramping up over the past month. He resumed individual activities Dec. 8 and was a full participant in Sunday's practice session. The 22-year-old will be in the mix to return to action Friday, but it's possible he faces a minutes restriction if he's cleared to play, even though he's been working on his conditioning in recent weeks.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Not back in mix yet Ball (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Sacramento.

Impact Ball ascended to full practice with some five-on-five activity Sunday, but being ruled out more than 24 hours in advance of Wednesday's contest doesn't indicate that he's necessarily on the cusp of a return. A return in the short-term remains possible, however, with Friday against San Antonio representing his next opportunity.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in full practice Ball (ankle) was a full participant during Sunday's practice and did some five-on-five scrimmaging, Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Ball last played for the Hornets on Nov. 26, but he's been ramping up his activity and is in the final phase of his rehabilitation. While a concrete target date hasn't been set, Boone reports that Ball "could be back in the mix relatively soon." Ball -- who remains out for Monday's game against the Bulls -- has played only 15 games this season and is averaging 24.7 points, 8.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 three-pointers and 1.4 steals in 33.4 minutes.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

LaMelo Ball Sits in Top 10 for East Guards in Fan Voting for NBA All-Star Game Despite playing in just 15 games this season, the Hornets crafty guard is reeling in the votes.

JANUARY 4 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Return not yet imminent Ball (ankle) hasn't yet been cleared to take contact in practice and remains without a clear timeline for a return to the Charlotte lineup, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports...

Impact While Ball resumed individual on-court work earlier this month and seems to be progressing his recovery from a right ankle sprain, his return to game action doesn't yet appear to be imminent. Ball will likely need to complete multiple full-contact practices before getting the green light to play, and he could face some restrictions with his minutes for his first few games back whenever he does return. In the meantime, Terry Rozier will continue to serve as the Hornets' starting point guard, opening up more minutes on the wing for the likes of Brandon Miller (ankle), Cody Martin and Bryce McGowens.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

LaMelo Ball's Injury Status vs. Clippers Revealed The Charlotte Hornets will not have LaMelo Ball vs. the LA Clippers

DECEMBER 26, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Hornets mailbag: What is Brandon Miller's potential? Can LaMelo Ball still be an All-Star? Topics in the latest Hornets mailbag include queries about Brandon Miller’s long-term prospects, LaMelo Ball’s All-Star game chances, Mark W...

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Continues to make progress The Hornets announced Friday that Ball (ankle) has continued progressing in conditioning, and individual activities and updates on his status will be provided as appropriate.

Impact Ball sprained his right ankle during a Nov. 26 game against Orlando and resumed individual activities Dec. 8. It sounds like things are going around to plan, but the point guard still doesn't have a definitive return timetable. Ball can be considered week-to-week at this point. In Ball's absence, Terry Rozier, Brandon Miller and Gordon Hayward are candidates for elevated usage on a nightly basis, while Ish Smith and Bryce McGowens have garnered increased bench roles.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes individual activities The Hornets announced Friday that Ball (ankle) has resumed individual activities and will be re-evaluated in a week, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Ball has been dealing with a serious right ankle sprain since late November and is in the midst of an extended absence. He's been evaluated on a week-to-week basis so far, but it's encouraging that he's at least progressing in his recovery process. A firm timetable for his return to game action isn't yet clear.

DECEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

The week in the NBA: Josh Giddey accusations drama, Ball brothers injury bug, Jason Kidd loses it for no reason A collection of Deadspin’s best posts of the week from the basketball world

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM