LaMelo Ball’s season could be over after breaking ankle

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball’s injury-plagued season could be over after he broke his right ankle during his team’s 117-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

LaMelo Ball had to leave the game early after suffering a non contact injury

“It popped. I heard it pop.”pic.twitter.com/SYZZVXkafZ

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 28, 2023

The 21-year-old Ball has already missed 27 games this season after he sprained his left ankle on three separate occasions, beginning in the preseason.

Ball and the Hornets (20-43) were playing their best basketball of the season before the point guard fell to the floor on a non-contact play in the third quarter.

X-rays revealed the fracture to Ball’s ankle.

“It sucks,” Hornets swingman Gordon Hayward said, shaking his head. “Injuries are the worst part of the game.”

The point guard had entered the game with five straight double-doubles and appeared on his way to another with 18 points, six rebounds and five assists before leaving with 9:26 left in the period.

Ball was also shooting the ball extremely well from deep, having made 47.3% (27 of 57) of his 3-point shots over the last five games. He was 6 of 7 from beyond the arc against the Pistons.