On schedule to play in his team’s lone trip to take on the reigning champions is LaMelo Ball. The star of the Charlotte Hornets, who injured his right shoulder in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers less than 24 hours ago, is now officially labeled as probable to play in Tuesday’s away game against the Golden State Warriors.
Prior to fouling out late in the Hornets’ 124-113 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, Ball was visibly in pain and gripping his shoulder. In 36 minutes, he finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists but shooting just 10-of-26 from the field overall and laboring from two-point range.
The playmaker, a third-year, has now made at least four three-pointers in his last seven games, a remarkable accomplishment gave that he had previously missed about a month due to a left ankle strain.
Since rejoining the lineup, Ball has excelled, averaging 25.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. However, the Hornets have only gone 2-5 during that time, and coach Steve Clifford has recently sharply criticized Charlotte’s defensive effort.
Ball’s hopeful official status for Tuesday’s game notwithstanding, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sat out in opposition to the Warriors, who remain without both Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins.
Due to the back-to-back games the Hornets are playing and the amount of time LaMelo Ball has already missed due to injury this season, the Hornets may elect to be cautious with the treatment of this current ailment.
