CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets finally had the opportunity to field their anticipated starting lineup for the first time this season, featuring all five key players on the court together for about three quarters. However, the night took a turn for the worse due to yet another injury setback.
In a disappointing 121-108 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers, forward Brandon Miller sustained a sprained left ankle during the fourth quarter and was unable to continue playing. Head coach Charles Lee mentioned that the duration of Miller’s absence remains uncertain as the team assesses the injury.
Miller initially aggravated his ankle while on the bench after inadvertently stepping on another player’s foot. Unfortunately, later in the game, he landed awkwardly while attempting a driving layup, which aimed to close the gap to 97-91 with just over eight minutes left. Upon the play stoppage, Miller was visibly frustrated as he limped off the court, heading directly to the locker room after contributing 12 points in 31 minutes.
Before the match, Lee had expressed his enthusiasm about finally having all starters back on the floor, especially with LaMelo Ball returning after a seven-game absence due to a calf injury. The team had originally planned to open the season with Ball, Miller, Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and Mark Williams in the starting lineup. However, injuries plagued the team, beginning with Williams who was sidelined at the season’s start and continued with Miller, Bridges, and even Ball facing injuries. The Hornets struggled significantly, recording a 1-6 record while Ball was unavailable.
Upon his return, Ball managed to contribute an impressive 15 points and 11 assists in nearly 26 minutes of play. Lee praised Ball’s performance, noting his active engagement on the defensive end as well as his ability to create offensive opportunities both for himself and his teammates. He mentioned how Ball was working through the residual effects of his injury and anticipated further improvements in his performance moving forward.
Prior to his injury, Ball had been playing at an exceptional level, averaging 31.1 points, along with 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds during the season. Currently, the Hornets find themselves struggling at 7-19 and in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. They will need all players available to make a push for the playoffs as the season progresses.
