CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LaMelo Ball made his return to the court on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the first occasion this season that the Charlotte Hornets had all five of their starters aligned.
Ball had been sidelined for the previous seven games due to a strained calf.
The Hornets kicked off their training camp looking to feature Ball alongside Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and Mark Williams in the starting lineup. Unfortunately, Williams was dealing with an injury as the season started, and both Miller and Bridges also faced time away from the game due to injuries. Later, Ball’s own injury contributed to the team’s struggles, leading to a dismal record of 1-6 without him.
Before his injury, Ball had been exhibiting an All-Star level of performance, averaging an impressive 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Currently, the Hornets sit at 7-18, and they will need everyone healthy to try to re-enter the playoff picture as they found themselves in 13th place in the Eastern Conference prior to Monday’s game.
On the morning of his return, Ball mentioned he had been focusing on refining his shooting technique and analyzing various defensive strategies he encountered while he was still active, aiming to understand how to counter them effectively.
“It’s always great getting guys back,” Ball expressed. “I’m excited to play for real.”
Regarding his expectations of reuniting with his teammates, he admitted, “It’s been a minute, so we’ll see.”
With Williams back, Ball looks forward to the improvement in pick-and-roll dynamics, stating, “He’s 7-foot-2, and he can move, all of that type of stuff. So that is great having Mark back.”
On the Philadelphia side, center Joel Embiid was absent due to a right sinus fracture and is set for evaluation in a week. The 76ers also missed standout rookie Jared McCain, who underwent surgery for a torn meniscus.