LaMelo Ball Injury Update: "I hope there's nothing wrong and he's back the next game"

LaMelo Ball was playing in just his third game of the season on Wednesday when he re-injured his left ankle. Ball stepped on a fan's foot while trying to chase the ball down with less than two minutes left in the game.

The Charlotte Hornets guard had to be carried back to the locker room because he can't put any weight on his injured ankle. Teammate P.J. Washington is hoping that Ball's injury is not serious and that he'll be available for their next game.

"It's tough," Washington said after the game. "At the end of the day, we hope he's good. All prayers for him. I hope there's nothing wrong and he's back the next game."

Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was also hoping for the best. He told reporters after their 125-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers that they won't know the severity of Ball's injury until Thursday.

"Hopefully, it’s not bad," Clifford said. "I'm sure we won’t really know anything until (Thursday)."

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LaMelo Ball missed the first 13 games of the season

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain after stepping on Anthony Gill's foot in a preseason game against the Washington Wizards. The injury happened on Oct. 10, so he was out for around a month.

Ball made his season debut on Nov. 12 against the Miami Heat. He had 15 points, six rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes. He was better in the Hornets' win over the Orlando Magic on Monday, with 17 points, four rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes.

Before re-injuring his left ankle, Ball was having his best game of the season against the Pacers. He left the game with 26 points, one rebound and six assists. It's unclear how much time Ball will miss this time around, but the Hornets have struggled without him.

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Can the Hornets survive another LaMelo Ball injury?

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets went 3-10 without LaMelo Ball to start the season. To be fair, the Hornets have had their fair share of injuries to guys like Terry Rozier and Cody Martin.

But can the Hornets survive another long absence from their best player? Maybe or maybe not. The Hornets have played good games, but are prone to turnovers. They are in the lower thirds in total turnovers in the NBA this season.

Turnovers haunted the Hornets in their loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. However, injuries have been the most frustrating part of the season for Charlotte. In addition to Ball, Rozier and Martin, players such as Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, and Dennis Smith Jr. have also missed games due to injury.

If Ball misses more time, the Hornets are likely heading towards the opposite direction. It's not bad to have a better chance at landing Victor Wembanyama next season.

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