LaMelo Ball cleared from wrist injury, will start vs. Pistons

The Charlotte Hornets have named star rookie LaMelo Ball a starter for Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons, signaling his return after suffering what was initially believed to be a season-ending wrist injury in March.

Malik Monk was also upgraded to available after missing Charlotte's last 15 games due to an ankle sprain.

Ball has been sidelined since fracturing his right wrist against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 20.

At the time of the injury, Ball was a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year with averages of 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in 41 games. It was initially feared the floor general would miss the remainder of the season, but Ball then underwent surgery and his wrist was re-evaluated four weeks later.

Ball's return would come at an ideal time for the Hornets, who currently hold the Eastern Conference's eighth seed with a 30-32 record.

The 19-year-old was selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He's the second member of his family to be a top-five draft choice after his brother Lonzo was picked second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.