Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has already missed five out of 11 games so far this season, but he’s shown why he was a top-three draft pick when he has played. The 24-year-old is averaging 23.3 points on 43 percent shooting (33.3 percent 3-point) with 7.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists over 33.3 minutes a night thus far.

The Charlotte Hornets did an admirable job treading water when LaMelo Ball was sidelined. Charlotte went 2-3 without Ball in the lineup, sporting a league average offense (15th in offensive rating) and an overall positive net rating (+1.

This season, Charlotte sits 14th in offensive rating. In the last four games without Ball, they have slid to 19th. The Hornets are used to missing Ball, and the offensive rating has struggled over the years without his shot creation for himself and for his teammates.

Rookie’s career-high 32 points came in his hometown on night Charlotte’s star point guard returned after missing five games with ankle injury

At this point, Charlotte and LaMelo may be better off going their separate ways. Ball was ruled out for Monday night's home tilt against the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his fourth consecutive game missed to do an ankle impingement.

LaMelo Ball's ambition to become U.S. President reportedly led the Minnesota Timberwolves to pass on him for the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. During a pre-draft interview, Ball's unexpected aspiration reportedly concerned team executives,

The Charlotte Hornets have dealt with an injury bug this season, but things are looking up with the most recent LaMelo Ball news.

Tonight, the Charlotte Hornets will return home to Spectrum Center looking to snap a two-game skid against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James will be out for this one, but the Hornets are still shorthanded with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller on the shelf.