The Charlotte Hornets, a professional basketball franchise, have had a difficult season so far, with a record of 18-54. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from the playoffs, which means they will not be able to compete for the championship title this year. Adding to their woes, the team has not played with their star rookie, LaMelo Ball, since January 27, due to a wrist injury that he sustained during a game.
LaMelo Ball, who is only 22 years old, signed a five-year Max-contract in July as a sign of the team’s faith in his abilities. However, Ball has been plagued with an ankle injury since joining the team, which has limited his playing time. It is the same ankle injury that he had suffered during his rookie season, and it has caused him to miss a significant number of games in the last two seasons.
Before his injury, Ball was performing exceptionally well, averaging a career-high of 23.9 points per game this season. His talent did not go unnoticed, as he was named the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and was named an All-Star the following year. However, his injury has forced him to sit out many games, which has affected the team’s performance.
It is worth noting that the Charlotte Hornets have not made the playoffs for eight straight seasons, which is the longest streak in the NBA. Despite this, the team and its fans remain optimistic about their future, especially with a talented player like LaMelo Ball on their roster.