So far, this season has been another frustrating one for the Charlotte Hornets, who have an 8-27 record, which is the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
While they have more talent than most 8-27 teams, they have been without franchise player LaMelo Ball since late November when he injured his ankle.
Some good news came on Thursday when, per Shams Charania, it was announced that Ball could return to game action as early as Friday when the Hornets visit Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Fans had plenty of reactions.
Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball – out since Nov. 26 due to sprained ankle – could return Friday vs. Spurs in San Antonio. He has been upgraded to questionable.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 11, 2024
FINALLY
— Gio (@klayvsthewrld) January 11, 2024
Awesome! He needs to stay healthy
— Itsyungduff (@ItsADuff) January 11, 2024
Hornets been holding it down . Especially Terry
— BiggBreeze (@BigBreezy29) January 11, 2024
Love watching Melo hoop but he legit never been healthy
— Jaime Jaquez Jr Muse (@JaquezJrMuse) January 11, 2024
At the time of his injury, Ball was averaging 24.7 points and 8.2 assists a game while shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range.
While he is clearly Charlotte’s best hope of being competitive in the near future, he has appeared to be injury-prone since they took him with the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Although he won the Rookie of the Year award, he missed over a month of action that year due to a fractured wrist, and last season, he played in just 36 games because of a season-ending non-contact ankle injury.
Without him, the Hornets went from bad to worse, and at one point, they went on an 11-game losing streak.
Charlotte does have a few other talented players, such as guard Terry Rozier and big man Miles Bridges, and it is reportedly looking to move veteran sharpshooter Gordon Hayward, who is in the final year of a big contract.
NEXT: Analyst Offers Notable Update On LaMelo Ball Injury