LaMelo Ball leaves game against Pelicans briefly, returns after collision with coach

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was injured in the first quarter of Monday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets and briefly taken to the locker room after a head-to-head collision with coach Charles Lee.

Ball returned to the game later in the first quarter with what the team described as a laceration above his eye.

Ball was attempting to save an errant pass from Miles Bridges near the Hornets bench. But as the ball was heading out of bounds, Lee bent down to grab it, unaware of Ball charging in from his right side trying to save it.

The coach and player banged heads and Ball immediately went down in front of the Hornets bench.

He remained on the ground for several minutes being attended to by trainers before leaving with a towel over his right eye, while Lee held his own head. Ball returned to the bench a few minutes later and checked back into the game.

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