Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Inefficient in Friday's loss
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Ball logged 18 points (4-17 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 8-8 FT), six assists and two rebounds over 27 minutes during the Hornets' 118-113 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday.
Ball finished tied with Brandon Miller as the Hornets' second-leading scorer behind rookie Kon Knueppel (33 points). However, Ball made just 23.5 percent of his field-goal attempts, and his stat line looked better only because of his eight made free throws. He has connected on 39.6 percent of his field-goal attempts this season, though that number has dropped to 34.8 percent (including 30.0 percent from three on 11.4 3PA/G) since Feb. 2.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Poor showing from field
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Ball notched 11 points (5-14 FG, 1-6 3Pt), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Thursday's 105-101 loss to the Rockets.
Ball was involved in a car accident over the All-Star break, but fortunately, he and the other person escaped without any major injuries. The Hornets are currently one of the hottest teams in the NBA and are looking to sneak into the playoffs, and that bodes well for Ball's fantasy outlook down the stretch.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Strikes for 24 against Atlanta
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Ball produced 24 points (8-23 FG, 7-18 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 110-107 win over the Hawks.
The 24-year-old guard scored 20-plus points for the fourth time in the last five games and the sixth time in the last 10. Ball's workload and scoring have taken a step back in 2025-26, but over that 10-game stretch, he's still averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 boards, 3.8 threes and 0.9 steals in 28.9 minutes.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 20 in loss
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Ball ended with 20 points (8-22 FG, 4-12 3Pt), four rebounds and four assists over 29 minutes during Monday's 110-104 loss to the Pistons.
Ball reached the 20-point mark in Monday's narrow loss but did so on inefficient shooting once again. He's scored at least 20 points five times over the past 13 games, though he's failed to shoot 50.0 percent from the field in any of those contests and entered Monday's matchup converting just 36.1 percent during that span.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Scores 20 in victory
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Ball posted 20 points (7-19 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists over 29 minutes during Thursday's 109-99 victory over the Rockets.
It wasn't a highly efficient night from Ball, but he managed to sink five triples in the win. Ball has made multiple threes in eight consecutive games. Now in his sixth season, Ball is averaging 19.1 points per game, which is the lowest since his rookie year, while his rebounding and assist numbers are nearly identical to last season.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Available to return
Rotowire
Ball (eye) is available to return to Monday's game against the Pelicans.
After being diagnosed with a right eye laceration due to a collision with head coach Charles Lee during the first quarter, Ball is good to go for the remainder of Monday's contest following a visit to the locker room. The star guard should be able to handle his normal duties, as there's no word that he'll be restricted in any way.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Sniffs double-double
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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: 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Quiet outing in win
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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
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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.
