Hornets’ LaMelo Ball To Miss At Least Two Weeks With Calf Injury

The Charlotte Hornets were dealt a tough blow Saturday, announcing that star guard LaMelo Ball will miss at least the next two weeks with a left calf strain.

It’s a setback for both Ball and the Hornets, who have been struggling mightily to find any semblance of consistency this season.

Ball suffered the injury late in Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat, a game where he poured in 37 points but could not help Charlotte overcome their defensive woes. He missed Friday’s defeat to the New York Knicks and has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Now, the Hornets must navigate at least the next two weeks without their franchise player, who has been nothing short of sensational lately.

The numbers speak for themselves. Ball has been on an absolute tear, averaging an eye-popping 40.3 points over his past four games, including a career-best 50-point outburst against the Milwaukee Bucks just last Saturday.

For the season, he’s second in the NBA in scoring, putting up 31.4 points per game along with 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds.

But Ball’s absence highlights a troubling trend for Charlotte. They’ve dropped four straight and six of their last seven, with their 6-13 record reflecting the lack of depth and defensive grit needed to stay competitive. Losing Ball for an extended stretch could put their season in serious jeopardy.