LaMelo Ball’s Injury Update: Possible Return Against Spurs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets‘ star point guard, is listed as questionable for Friday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs as he recovers from a left ankle sprain. Ball sustained the injury during a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 27, forcing him to miss five consecutive games.

Ball injured his ankle after backpedaling on the court and stepping on Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt‘s foot while attempting a three-point shot. Recognizing the injury immediately, Ball walked to the locker room for evaluation. Following a recent MRI, the Hornets confirmed it was a sprain and noted Ball would be re-evaluated within a week.

After days of treatment, the Hornets announced on Tuesday that Ball had made progress and returned to on-court activities. The updates have generated optimism among fans and teammates alike. “I’m feeling good,” Ball stated after a recent team shootaround. “I’m just happy to play with them and everything, so it should be cool.”

The Hornets, currently struggling with consistency, have already lost 17 games this season due to various injuries, including their young star’s recurring issues. Ball has averaged 28.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field this season. The team is keenly aware of his impact, noting that they will continue to be cautious with his recovery.

In the lead-up to the trade deadline, Ball also addressed the recent player transactions impacting the roster, particularly the moves involving Cody Martin and Mark Williams. Speaking about his now former teammate, Ball expressed, “That’s my brother for sure. It’s a crazy situation. Obviously, I wish him the best.”

Ball understands the dynamic nature of the league, having witnessed trade activity since before joining the NBA. “It’s crazy for real, but I mean I’ve been seeing it since before I was in the NBA. It’s part of the business,” he commented.

As the Hornets prepare to face the Spurs, who they defeated in both games last season, they hope Ball’s potential return will boost their offense. He has consistently performed against San Antonio, averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game across five career matchups.

The game is scheduled to tip off on Friday, February 7, at 7 p.m. EST at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. It will be aired locally on FDSSE and FDSSW, as well as streamed on the NBA League Pass.

Whether Ball will take the court against the Spurs remains to be seen, but his status continues to be a focal point amid ongoing discussions about his long-term durability and value to the franchise.