Hornets shut down LaMelo for rest of season

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not return this season while continuing to rehab his ankle injury, the team announced.

Ball, who has been out since Jan. 26, played in just 22 games, a career-low in four NBA seasons. However, the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year scored a career-high 23.9 points per game in his fourth campaign while averaging eight assists and 5.1 rebounds.

His ankle concerns are a recurring issue. His 2022-23 season was cut short in February after he sustained a right ankle fracture that required surgery to repair, and he suffered multiple sprains to his left ankle during his young career.

The Hornets went 7-15 this season with the former third overall pick in the lineup.

Charlotte was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week following a 41-point defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hornets currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference at 18-54 and are 6.5 games clear of the last-place Detroit Pistons, who own the league's worst record at 12-61.