Another season, another surgery, and another heartbreak. Charlotte’s star has been sidelined, AGAIN. LaMelo Ball, who once gave Hornets fans a reason to believe, finds his light dimmed by the harsh reality of recurring injuries. And just like that, it’s starting to feel like ‘Groundhog Day’ in Charlotte. Ahead of Friday’s matchup, they had officially ruled Ball out for the rest of the season. His absence hit the Hornets hard, as they couldn’t snap their three-game losing streak, falling 108-97 to the Raptors.

LaMelo’s ankle trouble started back in 2023 with a fracture in Feb, and he re-aggravated the same ankle problem during a game against the Magic in Novemeber, later that year. Driving hard to the hoop, he landed awkwardly while going up against Paolo Banchero, and that one moment set off a string of recurring issues. As time went by, things didn’t seem to improve, forcing Charlotte to make the tough call to shut him down and send him to rehab.

Ball has missed at least 25 games each in the past three seasons after playing a career-high 75 games in 2021-22. “Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on a right ankle impingement and will have a procedure on his right wrist,” according to the Hornets.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, despite playing through pain recently, “Team doctors and outside specialists concluded that the two procedures will allow Ball to heal and have a full offseason.” This being deemed “the best course of action,” the Hornets are leaving no stones unturned, going full-blown to do everything they can to ensure Ball comes back stronger and healthier.

Before going down, Ball was having a career year! He averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 32 minutes across 47 games, and according to ESPN Research, Ball became the first in franchise history to average 25 points and 7 assists in a season!

LaMelo Ball also set a team record with six games where he tallied 25 points and 10 assists, showing just how much Charlotte leaned on him to generate offense. To top it off, Ball had the second-highest usage rate in the NBA…

Man, it’s heartbreaking to see LaMelo Ball sidelined. The guy plays with such finesse and flair that not just Hornets fans but the whole league will miss and pray for his comeback on the court. With Tre Mann also out, this gives KJ Simpson (currently on a two-way deal) hope to see his most consistent playing stretch to prove his worth on the hardwood. Nick Smith Jr. could see game-time too.

With Post-Season Hopes Gone, Hornets Set Sights on Lottery Pick

For now, Hornets fans have to play the waiting game, with hopes pinned on seeing their franchise star, LaMelo Ball, back in action come October. Amid a tough 18-55 season, Charlotte’s focus has already shifted toward the future. Since October, the Hornets have quietly stacked up an impressive collection of draft assets—acquiring six additional picks while holding on to all their future first-rounders. With 11 first-round and 13 second-round picks in the bank, can Charlotte translate these assets into genuine talent?

Well, we’re talking about the team that drafted one of the greatest ever… and traded him 16 days later. I won’t name names, but it starts with Kobe and ends with Bryant. But, the obvious question now is, who are the Hornets going to look at?

Cooper Flagg, a 5-star recruit and the top-ranked player by 247Sports and ESPN, is officially in for the 2025 NBA Draft. Standing at 6-foot-7, the kid’s already making waves as a potential franchise-changer.

Per SI: “The teams that finish with the three worst records all have a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick. That percentage drops to 12.5% with the fourth-worst record and just under 10% for the fifth and sixth slots.” The Charlotte side is currently second to last, and their remaining nine games including away clashes against the Pacers, Raptors, and the Celtics (back to back).

Now, picture this—if Charlotte somehow lands Flagg, who casually hit a three over Anthony Davis at just 17, and pairs him with a healthy LaMelo Ball? Man, that could flip the script for the Hornets and make their path to contention feel a whole lot closer.