3 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) will require surgery to address a right ankle impingement and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. He will also undergo "a minor procedure on his right wrist." The 2020 No. 3 overall pick played well this season, averaging a career-high 25.2 points with 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. However. Ball will finish the year having logged only 47 games after appearing in 22 contests in 2023-24. Without question, he is an MVP-caliber player when healthy. But, based on Ball's inability to stay healthy, fantasy managers should consider other options heading into next season. In the meantime,
KJ Simpson will likely work his way into the starting lineup, with the 22-year-old averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in five starts this season.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets
3 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't play on Friday versus the Raptors. Statistically, Ball has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 25.2 points with 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. However, as has been the case over the years, he has been limited by injuries, appearing in only 47 games. The Hornets can't make the playoffs, and with only 10 games remaining on the schedule, Ball may not be on the floor for most (if not all) of them. As such,
Damion Baugh, assuming he gets called up from the G League, may find his way back into the starting lineup, with the 24-year-old averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in two starts this season.
KJ Simpson also has a chance to roll with the first five, with
Miles Bridges and
Mark Williams the favorites to lead the way offensively no matter who takes over at the one.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) will be out of action for Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ball will sit out the second half of back-to-back games for right ankle injury management. The 23-year-old is coming out of a 25-point effort where he also logged five rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over the Knicks. The Hornets will have several holes in their roster for this evening due to injuries, meaning Nick Smith,
Josh Green, and
DaQuan Jeffries could see expanded roles. Unfortunately, these three players won't make much of an impact on fantasy during tonight's matchup.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
4 weeks agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (wrist) is good to go for Thursday's matchup with the Knicks. He wasn't available for Tuesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. As a result,
Damion Baugh entered the starting lineup and finished with 11 points, nine boards, five assists, and one steal. But with Ball and
Miles Bridges (illness) cleared to suit up, Baugh will lose most of his fantasy appeal. On the other hand, Ball is a must-start in any fantasy setup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets
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