The Charlotte Hornets walked into Toronto looking for signs of progress during a difficult season, and LaMelo Ball managed to grab the spotlight before the ball even went up. As the players prepared to take the floor at Scotiabank Arena, Ball jogged out of the tunnel with a group of Raptors, turning a simple pregame routine into an unexpected viral moment, per Total Sports Pro. The crowd buzzed in confusion, then laughter, as he blended into the wrong team’s warmup line for a few seconds.
The moment set a light tone for the night, but Ball’s health quickly shifted the story. He left the game after dealing with discomfort in his left ankle, and the Hornets later confirmed he would not return. The injury update arrived soon after his exit, overshadowing his earlier prank-like appearance with the Raptors.
Hornets Announce LaMelo’s Status After Early Exit
Before leaving the floor, Ball delivered 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists in just 12 minutes. Charlotte controlled the game from the start and secured a 111 to 86 win that moved them to 7 and 16. The victory felt encouraging, but the team’s attention moved toward their star point guard when he walked toward the tunnel early in the third quarter.
The team shared the update shortly after.
“INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball left tonight’s game in TOR in the 3Q with left ankle soreness and will not return,” the Hornets posted on X.
Ball’s ankle issues have followed him throughout the past several seasons. He has fought through setbacks that limited his availability and forced the Hornets to navigate long stretches without their lead playmaker. This latest concern involved his left ankle, not the right one that previously required surgery, which gives the team some relief. Even so, the Hornets will monitor him closely as they continue their push to stabilize the season.
Ball struggled from deep before the injury surfaced. He missed each of his attempts from beyond the arc during his first 12 minutes. Despite the rough start, he continued to show confidence. When asked recently whether cold shooting nights bother him, Ball did not hesitate. “Nope, I get excited because if one doesn’t go in, I know the next one will,” he said.
LaMelo’s Season, Role, and Future in Charlotte
Ball has dealt with scrutiny this year as the Hornets’ struggles piled up. Early speculation suggested he felt frustrated with the direction of the franchise and might consider a different path. Those rumors circulated heavily, but Ball pushed back and reaffirmed his commitment to Charlotte. He continued to emphasize loyalty to the organization and his desire to help guide them toward improvement.
His season opened with uneven efficiency, although the talent and vision that shaped his All-Star rise remain clear, per Athlon Sports. Through his first stretch of games, Ball’s shooting numbers dipped, but he still created offense at a level that kept the Hornets competitive. With a young roster searching for identity, his presence influences every possession.
Ball’s relationship with the franchise extends back to his arrival as the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He earned Rookie of the Year honors and followed that with an All-Star season. Charlotte continues to promote him as the centerpiece of its rebuild, and he remains the player most responsible for shifting the organization’s long-term trajectory.
The Hornets need stability as they try to climb out of another slow start. Ball’s availability plays the largest role in that effort. Each time an injury appears, the team’s path becomes more complicated. If he stays healthy and regains rhythm, he can still push Charlotte toward a more competitive stretch.
For now, the Hornets will wait for clarity on how quickly Ball can return after the latest setback.
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