LaMelo was coming off a great game on Thursday night against LeBron James and the Lakers but it wasn’t until Saturday night playing on the same court where LeBron injured his ankle earlier that same day, where Ball’s rookie season might have come to an end.
He drove to the lane in an attempt to score the ball in the second quarter as he was fouled and came down on his right wrist and you can immediately see it was painful. He then was taken to the bench by the team trainer and was let back in the game. At halftime, Ball got his wrist taped and it impressed me with the mentality he had coming back into the game, knowing he technically had one hand, he began making great plays and scoring the ball with his left hand.
LaMelo's right wrist is wrapped so he snags this rebound solely with his left hand and makes the hit-ahead pass to Hayward with his off-hand. Impressive but worrisome at the same time. pic.twitter.com/arReit3UKD
— Richie Randall (@RichieRandall) March 21, 2021
The Hornets announced Sunday evening just hours prior to the start of The Fredo Show which you can watch LIVE Sundays 11ET/8PT on In The Front Row, Rookie of the Year leading candidate fractured his right wrist in a loss to the Clippers on Saturday night.
LaMelo’s injury is in the area of his right thumb which is fractured and is expected to meet with a doctor to see and view his other options and possibilities. I was told that there is a slight chance that he can still play this season but it all depends on the final results of his second examination which should come early this week as he is meeting with doctors in New York.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets takes a shot against Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers during the second quarter of a game at Staples Center on March 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Ball was in the same situation in the beginning of his first and only year with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia as he injured his foot and had to end his season early as he rested and trained to prepared for the NBA Draft. Time off the court allowed Ball to get better on and off the court.
Ball’s Manager Jermaine Jackson, has been putting in lots of work on and off the court which clearly shows how mature LaMelo has been ever since leaving high school. Ball is used to training multiple times a day with no days off for the young kid which lots of people forget that he is only 19 years old and is currently taking the NBA league by storm with his amazing play which the whole world clearly got a chance to see when he faced off against LeBron James.
The King of Los Angeles was praising LaMelo during his post game interview and not only the king but his teammates as well.
Earlier today Hornets Coach James Borrego talked to the media as said Ball will be out for an extended period of time and the decision of him out for the season has not yet been made. Borrego said he was devastated for him and knows he will come back bigger and better whenever he steps back on the floor.
Pending another medical exam will only tell what the next move is for the LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.
He is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.59 steals in 41 games this season.
Watch the latest show of The Fredo Show above as he breaks the new on LaMelo Ball’s possible season ending injury.
LaMelo Ball is averaging 19 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds per 36 minutes.
The only other rookie to put up those numbers was Oscar Robertson in 1960-61 (25.7 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 8.2 Ast). pic.twitter.com/OLrGvpoYuz
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 22, 2021
