LaMelo Ball breaks ankle, latest setback in rough season – New York Daily News

CHARLOTTE — LaMelo Ball’s irritating, injury-plagued season could possibly be over after the purpose guard broke his proper ankle in Charlotte’s 117-106 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night time.

Ball has already missed 27 video games this season after he sprained his left ankle on three separate events, starting in the preseason. He and the Hornets (20-43) have been enjoying their finest basketball of the season earlier than the purpose guard fell to the ground on a non-contact play in the third quarter.

X-rays revealed the fracture to Ball’s ankle.

“It sucks,” Hornets swingman Gordon Hayward mentioned, shaking his head. “Injuries are the worst part of the game.”

Ball had entered the sport with 5 straight double-doubles and appeared on his technique to one other with 18 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists earlier than leaving with 9:26 left in the interval.

He was additionally capturing the ball extraordinarily nicely from deep, having made 47.3% (27 of 57) of his 3-point pictures during the last 5 video games. He was 6 of seven from past the arc towards the Pistons.

Charlotte’s five-game win streak was the crew’s longest of the season.

“We were starting to figure it out as a team,” Hayward mentioned. “He and I were starting to build (chemistry). I think me personally, I was starting to build a good relationship with him on the court and we were finding easy buckets for each other. Some of that is what we’ve gone through the whole year, not being able to build that out on the court with different guys being injured. Him at the beginning of the season, then me right after that, and now him again. It’s been back and forth with different people through the year, which is tough.”

Ball had simply dribbled behind his again and gave the impression to be setting as much as work off a display from middle Mark Williams past the 3-point arc when he fell to the bottom. He grabbed the free ball and handed to Williams, who discovered a teammate for a rating.

Ball was taken to the locker room.

Hayward mentioned gamers figured he had “tweaked something,” not understanding the extent of the damage till after the sport.

Hornets coach Steve Clifford didn’t say how lengthy Ball can be out. But given the severity of the damage and the actual fact the Hornets solely have 19 video games remaining and are usually not in competition for the playoffs, it appears unlikely the crew would rush him again.

“The only thing you can do is watch the film, learn from it and then focus on what we have to do tomorrow in practice to get ready for (the next game). Unfortunately, we’re experienced at playing without all of them, so it’s not like it’s going to be brand new,” Clifford mentioned. “It’s tough, too, because he was starting to play so well, and the team obviously was playing better and better. They’re not going to wait for us.”

Hayward mentioned he texted Ball after the sport, however hadn’t spoken with him.

“I think that is the most important thing when you are injured — stay positive and have a good support system around you including your teammates, family and friends,” mentioned Hayward, who broke an ankle on a clumsy touchdown in 2017 whereas enjoying for Boston. “He’s young and he will bounce back but it is always tough in the moment.”