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LaMelo Ball reportedly suffers “serious” ankle sprain, to miss extended time

Charlotte Hornets v Orlando Magic

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets walks off the court in the first half of a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on November 26, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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While it could have been worse — no surgery is required — it’s not good news for LeMelo Ball or the Charlotte Hornets.

Ball will miss extended time due to a “seriously” sprained right ankle, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Charlotte has listed Ball as out against New York on Tuesday for an In Season Tournament game but has released nothing official beyond that.

Ball was injured Sunday with just a little more than two minutes to go in the first half when he drove into the lane across the basket and put up a shot over Paolo Banchero. Ball landed awkwardly — not rolling the ankle in a traditional sense but it was not normal — and went to the ground in pain. Ball was helped off the court, unable to put weight on his right ankle — the one he had surgery on near the end of last season — and did not return.

Ball has been playing the best basketball of his career this season, averaging 25.9 points and 8.6 assists a night while shooting 38.9% from 3. He’d been on a tear in recent weeks and playing even better, averaging 32 points a game over his last nine games.

Now the 5-10 Hornets will have to get by without their best player for an extended amount of time.