LaMelo Ball injury: What caused the recently returned Charlotte Hornets guard to leave the game and how long could he be out for?

Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball recently made his season debut on Saturday. Ball had previously missed the Hornets' first 13 games of the season due to a Grade 2 left ankle sprain that he suffered during preseason. However, after just three games back, Ball has already suffered another setback to his ankle.

Ball’s latest ankle injury occurred with just 1:34 left in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ Wednesday night game against the Indiana Pacers. With Charlotte trailing 117-108, Ball tried to pick up a pass from Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Instead, Ball knocked the ball out of bounds and as he tried to recover it, he stepped on the foot of a fan sitting courtside. Ball then twisted his ankle and later had to be carried off the court.

Charlotte would go on to lose the game 125-113 to fall to 4-12 and 14th in the Eastern Conference.

This is obviously tough news for Hornets fans as LaMelo Ball was just starting to round into form for Charlotte. Through three games Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

At the time of his injury against Indiana, he was having his best game so far. Ball finished with a game-high 26 points to go along with six assists and five made 3-pointers on 10-for-17 (58.8%) shooting.

How long is LaMelo Ball expected to be out with his latest ankle injury?

Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball

As of now, there is no timetable for a return regarding LaMelo Ball’s latest ankle injury. But the Charlotte Hornets have confirmed that Ball has once again suffered a left ankle sprain, via their public relations department on Twitter.

“INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball left the game late in tonight’s loss to IND with a L Ankle Sprain and did not return,” the Hornets’ PR department tweeted.

Expand Tweet

Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford spoke about Ball's injury postgame. He expressed optimism but added that the team will not know anything until Thursday.

“Hopefully it’s not bad,” Clifford said.

“I’m sure we won’t really know anything until Thursday,” Clifford added.

Charlotte is already shorthanded in the backcourt as backup point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is also out with a left ankle sprain. If Ball misses time again, the Hornets will need to rely on youngsters Theo Maledon and James Bouknight alongside veteran guard Terry Rozier.

The Hornets are 3-10 this season without LaMelo Ball and are 1-2 with him. Their next game will be on Friday on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have a 8-6 record.

Also read this: Why didn't Nikola Jokic suit up against New York Knicks? All you need to know

Or this: Reports: 4x All-Star has 'quietly' tried for 2 NBA teams, per his college coach