Ball ended with 22 points (8-17 FG, 6-10 3Pt), three rebounds, nine assists and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 123-121 win over Dallas.
Ball was locked in from three-point range and drained at least six threes for the seventh time this season, and he ended just one assist away from recording what would've been his third double-double of the month. Ball has been productive all season long, and his January numbers have been quite solid, but there's been some regression compared to the numbers he'd been posting in recent months. Over 16 games in January, he's averaging 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.5 three-pointers made. To put things into context, he was averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game between October and December.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Notches 16 points in win
Rotowire
Ball amassed 16 points (6-14 FG, 4-9 3Pt), one rebound, four assists and two steals in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 112-97 victory over the Grizzlies.
The Hornets are on a four-game winning streak with a 20-28 record as they make a push for a playoff spot. That significantly improves Ball's fantasy outlook down the stretch, as he would be playing in meaningful games, unlike previous seasons. With Ball logging just 23 minutes Wednesday, it's expected that he will see a slightly larger workload Thursday against Dallas for the second leg of this back-to-back set.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hits for 20-point double-double
Rotowire
Ball registered 20 points (8-19 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, 11 assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 win over the Wizards.
The double-double was Ball's eighth of the season and his second in January. The 24-year-old guard has scored at least 20 points in four of the last nine games, averaging 18.7 points, 6.9 assists, 4.6 boards, 3.8 threes and 1.1 steals over that stretch.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Available to play
Rotowire
Ball (thumb) is available for Thursday's game in Orlando.
Ball is dealing with a bruised thumb on his shooting hand, but he'll push through the pain and make himself available for Thursday's game. Ball came off the bench in Wednesday's loss to the Cavs, but he'll likely be back in the first unit for Thursday's game.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
Ball is questionable for Thursday's game against the Magic due to a right thumb contusion, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Ball came off the bench Wednesday against the Cavaliers and logged 22 minutes in an effort to stay fresh for Thursday. He walked away with a thumb injury, however, putting his status in jeopardy. If Ball is unable to play, the Hornets will likely need Collin Sexton to shoulder a heavy workload.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Ball is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cavs.
The Hornets have been bringing Ball off the bench in the first game of back-to-back sets to help conserve his minutes, and it looks like that trend will continue Wednesday. Through two games as a reserve this season, Ball owns averages of 24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 triples and 1.5 steals in 23.9 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Ball won't start Saturday's game against the Warriors.
Ball will slide to the second unit in the front end of this back-to-back set, which is presumably to monitor his playing time ahead of Sunday's contest against Denver. As a result, Sion James will get the starting nod. Ball came off the bench in a loss to Indiana on Jan. 8 -- the second leg of a back-to-back -- when he contributed 33 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals over 27 minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Strong outing in convincing win
Rotowire
Ball registered 30 points (10-20 FG, 9-17 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists and one block in 29 minutes during Thursday's 135-117 win over the Lakers.
Ball scored at least 30 points for the second time in four games and for only the fourth time all season. He also dished out double-digit assists for the first time since Dec. 18. Ball is averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals over his past 15 appearances, but he's playing only 26.8 minutes per game during that stretch.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Paces team with 25 points
Rotowire
Ball contributed 25 points (11-24 FG, 3-11 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 117-109 loss to the Clippers.
Ball scored seven consecutive points in the third quarter to put the game within striking distance, but the Clippers were ultimately able to hold off the Hornets, who have now lost three of their last four contests. After an injury-plagued start to the season, Ball has managed to rattle off 14 consecutive appearances, averaging 20.9 points, 6.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals over the span.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Drops 33 points with eight dimes
Rotowire
Ball popped off for 33 points (12-24 FG, 7-15 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight assists, three rebounds and three steals over 27 minutes during Thursday's 114-112 loss to the Pacers.
With Thursday's game coming as the second leg of a back-to-back set, Ball was brought off the bench in an effort to conserve his minutes, and it'll be interesting to see if that continues in future back-to-back sets. The reserve role didn't impact Ball's statistical production, as he secured his third 30-plus point performance of the season and fell just one triple shy of matching his season high in three-point makes. Ball will look to keep rolling Saturday with a favorable matchup against the Jazz.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Shifting to bench
Rotowire
Ball isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Pacers.
Ball was given the green light to play shortly before tipoff after shaking a probable tag, but he'll take on a new role Thursday night. This marks the first time he'll be utilized off the bench this season, and it comes after he's had his fair share of shooting struggles, hitting at a clip of 40.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from deep over his last four matchups.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Probable to play Thursday
Rotowire
Ball is probable to play Thursday against the Pacers due to right ankle soreness.
Ball will likely play through both legs of the Hornets' back-to-back set despite experiencing soreness in his right ankle. In his last 11 appearances, Ball is averaging 19.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks and 4.3 threes across 26.5 minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Quiet outing in win
Rotowire
Ball ended Monday's 124-97 win over Oklahoma City with 16 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 25 minutes.
This wasn't Ball's best night, obviously, and it didn't help his case that he picked up five fouls. The Hornets are trending up with two straight wins, and if they can push for a playoff spot, that will certainly help Ball's fantasy outlook down the stretch.
Ball closed Saturday's 112-99 win over the Bulls with 17 points (7-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt), six rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 26 minutes.
Ball contributed on both ends of the floor, playing in the second game of a back-to-back for the second time in the past nine games. While the numbers have been absolutely fine, the fact that Ball is healthy and playing in all games is a big win for fantasy managers. With that said, if you are skeptical when it comes to his health, now might be a great time to try and execute a sell-high.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hits for 27 in Wednesday's loss
Rotowire
Ball logged 27 points (9-13 FG, 7-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and three steals over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 132-125 loss to Golden State.
The 24-year-old guard has looked good since returning from a bone bruise in his ankle in mid-December. Over the last seven games, Ball has drained multiple three-pointers in every contest while scoring over 20 points six times, averaging 22.4 points, 7.7 assists, 5.3 threes, 3.6 boards and 1.3 steals over that stretch.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Hits six triples in loss
Rotowire
Ball closed Monday's 123-113 loss to the Bucks with 26 points (9-23 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven assists, two rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes.
Ball knocked down six-plus three-pointers for the third time this season, finishing as Charlotte's second-leading scorer in the loss. The Hornets continue to be mindful of the 24-year-old's playing time after an injury-riddled start to the season. While he hasn't logged more than 29 minutes in any of his last six appearances following a three-game absence due to a left ankle bone bruise, he has scored at least 22 points in five of those outings. The star point guard also led the first unit in assists Monday, dishing out at least seven for the third time in his last four outings.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Team-high 22 points Friday
Rotowire
Ball posted 22 points (7-20 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 29 minutes during the Hornets' 120-105 win over the Magic on Friday.
It wasn't an efficient night from the field for Ball, but he still managed to lead the Hornets in scoring and extended his streak of 20-plus points to three games. Since returning from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, Ball has averaged 20.8 points, 8.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 4.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 26.0 minutes per game. Kon Knueppel left in the second quarter and was unable to return due to a right ankle injury, so Ball would be in line for more usage on offense if the former were to miss time.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Near double-double Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball had 23 points (7-12 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), two rebounds, nine assists, one block and one steal over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 126-109 victory over Washington.
Ball scored 14 of his 23 points in the second half and was one assist shy of recording his fifth double-double of the season. The All-Star point guard has scored 20-plus points in three of his last four games and has been red-hot from three over that span, connecting on 54.1 percent of his 9.3 three-point attempts per game.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Probable for Monday
Rotowire
Ball is probable for Monday's game against the Cavaliers with right wrist soreness.
Ball's wrist was bothering him Saturday against the Pistons, as he went 3-for-14 from the field in 23 minutes before fouling out. Monday's game is the front end of a back-to-back set, but it sounds like Ball will give it a go against Cleveland.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Shines from downtown in return
Rotowire
Ball (ankle) amassed 28 points (10-16 FG, 8-11 3Pt), 13 assists, four rebounds and one steal over 29 minutes during Thursday's 133-126 win over Atlanta.
Sidelined for the previous three games due to a left ankle bone bruise, Ball seemingly had few restrictions in place in his return to the lineup Thursday and proceeded to deliver one of his better all-around performances of the season. The eight triples were easily a season high for Ball, who had been shooting 28.5 percent from downtown on the campaign heading into Thursday.
