The tough season continues for the Charlotte Hornets.
They took down the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, beating that team 117-106.
But they also experienced an injury that could put an official end to their struggling season.
LaMelo Ball has fractured his right ankle. pic.twitter.com/T2QKgAoq2K
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 28, 2023
LaMelo Ball fractured his right ankle during the match against the Pistons on Monday, the team announced.
He did this during a step-back three-point attempt against Killian Hayes in the third quarter as he landed awkwardly on his right foot.
Video from the incident showed Ball grabbing his ankle and saying that he heard it “pop” during the possession.
This is just the latest injury that has befallen Ball and hurt the team’s chances.
Of course, Ball didn’t even start the season with the Hornets as he was recovering from injury.
He missed the first 13 games of the season because of that.
He then played for three games after that absence but then missed 11 more games following that brief stint with the team.
Foot injuries aren’t new for Ball, who has experienced them since joining the league.
The Hornets were already in bad shape before this latest mishap, sitting toward the very bottom of the Eastern Conference with a painful 20-43 record.
Their chances of making the playoffs were very slim already but now that Ball will be out for the foreseeable future, the chances are pretty much completely gone.
The team is going to be negotiating with Ball in the summer for a contract extension.
Will the number of injuries he incurs have an impact on the deal they offer him?
He is still seen as the future of the franchise but he can’t seem to stay healthy for a whole season.
NEXT: NBA Fans React To Unfortunate LaMelo Ball News
