The Charlotte Hornets have announced that LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a left calf strain following further evaluation. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ game against the Miami Heat on November 27. Ball, who was already sidelined for the Hornets’ game against New York on Friday due to left calf soreness, will be out again tonight as the team faces the Atlanta Hawks. The 22-year-old guard will be reevaluated in two weeks from the date of the injury.
Ball has been a standout performer for the Hornets this season, posting career highs in both points per game (31.1) and 3-point shooting (4.7), which rank second in the NBA. He has also contributed 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals across 18 games (18 starts). In his fifth season with the team, Ball has averaged 21.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 202 career appearances. He was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2021 and earned an All-Star selection in 2022. Ball is also the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 10.
In addition to Ball’s injury, the Hornets also provided an update on guard Tre Mann, who will remain out for tonight’s game against Atlanta due to low back soreness. Mann, who has not played since November 23 against the Milwaukee Bucks, has been diagnosed with disc irritation following further evaluation. The 22-year-old will continue his rehabilitation and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Mann, acquired by the Hornets in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 8, has been a strong contributor this season, averaging a career-high 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 13 games. His scoring average ranks sixth among NBA reserves who have appeared in at least 10 games. Over the course of his four-year career, Mann has averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 181 career games (59 starts). He was selected by Oklahoma City in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft with the 18th overall pick.
Both Ball and Mann’s absences leave a significant void in the Hornets’ lineup as they prepare for tonight’s matchup against Atlanta.
