LaMelo Ball makes season debut after lacking 13 video games with ankle damage

LaMelo Ball scores 15 factors on 6-of-17 taking pictures, to go together with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal.

MIAMI (AP) — LaMelo Ball is lastly again with the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets’ level guard — an All-Star a yr in the past — made his season debut Saturday night time at Miami and was within the beginning lineup. He was inactive for every of Charlotte’s first 13 video games due to a sprained left ankle, an damage that occurred within the preseason.

Ball completed with 15 factors, six assists and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes, making his season debut after lacking the primary 13 video games with a sprained ankle. He shot 6 of 17, 1 for 9 from 3-point vary, in Charlotte’s 132-115 loss to the Warmth — however insisted rust wasn’t a difficulty.

“I really feel straight. We’re going to be straight,” Ball stated. “Extra video games, it’ll get simpler. I believe I’m in a great spot.”

Ball averaged 20.1 factors and seven.6 assists final season for Charlotte, turning into an All-Star in simply his second NBA season. A season earlier, he averaged 15.7 factors and 6.1 assists on his solution to successful rookie of the yr.

“He did a bunch of excellent issues and he’ll play higher and higher as we go right here,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford stated.

Discuss TEAMWORK 🤝 @MELOD1P x @jalenmcdaniels5 x @iamnickrichards | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/SdSPeMajC6

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 13, 2022

The Hornets are on a league-worst eight-game shedding streak and have been gutted by accidents. Ball had but to play this season, and Saturday’s recreation was the sixth consecutive contest that ahead Gordon Hayward was lacking with a left shoulder contusion.

Nonetheless, Charlotte believes it may possibly flip issues round.

“We’re getting individuals again now,” Ball stated. “We’re lastly getting on the highway.”

Ahead Cody Martin performed 56 seconds within the season-opener in opposition to San Antonio, left that recreation with a quadriceps damage, hasn’t performed since and certain gained’t play for at the very least one other month following arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee Friday.

And Ball returned because the Hornets misplaced one other level guard. Dennis Smith Jr., who began in Ball’s spot for 11 of Charlotte’s first 13 video games, was sidelined on Saturday with a sprained left ankle. Smith received damage within the time beyond regulation session in opposition to Miami on Thursday night time; Clifford stated he wasn’t anticipated to overlook vital time.

Ball stated if Smith was capable of play Saturday, he would have seemingly sat another recreation. Clifford stated merely having Ball at shootaround Saturday morning offered a carry.

“When a participant of his caliber comes again, it makes the sport simpler for everyone,” Clifford stated.