Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball nailed eight triples and shot 12-for-22 overall from the field en route to a career-high 36 points in Wednesday's 127-125 loss to Milwaukee. He missed a fourth consecutive double-double by one assist and collected five rebounds and three steals with one block and seven turnovers in 41 minutes. Ball's efficiency and scoring numbers have been a bit low lately, but he will have gotten a nice confidence boost from Wednesday's game, and that should help him to find his rhythm again. He'll face Trae Young and the Hawks next. Ball struggled with 5-for-18 shooting in the first matchup of the season between the two teams, but Atlanta generally doesn't do well defensively against opposing point guards.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball secured his second triple-double of the season, posting 19 points, 11 boards, and 13 assists during a 146-143 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The 20-year-old shot 7-for-19 from the field, including 2-for-6 from behind the arc, and 3-for-3 from the line. Ball also added a steal to his line across 40 minutes. The 2020-21 rookie of the year has upped his game during his second season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.7 triples, and 1.9 steals per game. Outside of volatility shooting from the field, the rest of Ball's game is fantasy gold.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was supposed to have a tricky matchup on Monday against Washington, but he made it look easy with 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a 109-103 road win. He added three steals to his line with one block and six turnovers, shooting 10-for-24 from the field and 3-for-9 from behind the arc. Ball either goes off on you scoring-wise or flirts with a triple-double, so there's not a lot teams can do to keep Charlotte's rising superstar in check. He'll be a headache for the Magic next and should play with a chip on his shoulder Wednesday night after settling with an underwhelming 7-6-3 line in this season's first matchup between the two teams.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball logged his second triple-double of the season during a 115-105 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The 20-year-old poured in 15 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, one block, and two steals across 34 minutes. Ball, however, was a ghastly 5-for-18 from the field, including 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 from the line. While the 2020-21 rookie of the year's ability to stuff the stat sheet at every level from the guard spot is elite, inefficiency from the field and turnovers are two categories baked into the dynamic guard's play.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball logged a game-high 32 points and 11 rebounds during a 121-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The 20-year-old shot 12-for-22 from the field, including 4-for-9 from three-point range, and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The 2020-21 rookie of the year also added eight assists, one steal, and five turnovers across 39 minutes. Ball has had a sensational start to the young season, improving his averages across points, threes, rebounds, assists, steals, and free-throw percentage. The sky is the limit for Michael Jordan's 2020 third overall pick and the Hornets trajectory is now fighting for a playoff spot this season.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds in Friday's 104-96 win over the Knicks, adding 12 points, nine assists, five steals and one block in 37 minutes with four turnovers. It was a big night for the second-year player, although Ball's shooting was inefficient as he finished 4-for-13 from the field with a 0-for-5 record from deep. Ball started the week with a 16-rebound effort against the Lakers, so he's greatly boosted his numbers in that category in recent outings. He'll meet Stephen Curry next in a fascinating matchup Sunday and fireworks should be expected from both.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball notched his first triple-double of the season in Monday's overtime loss to the Lakers, scoring 25 points on 8-for-19 shooting from the field and picking up a game-high 15 rebounds with 11 assists. He was 3-for-8 with the three-ball and 6-for-6 at the line, while also collecting one steal and one block with three turnovers in 42 minutes. The Hornets now find themselves on a five-game losing streak, but Ball continues to bring it every night, and he's set for another productive outing on Wednesday against Memphis. The Grizzlies are giving up a league-high 10.1 assists per 48 minutes to opposing point guards and have also allowed the 11th-most points in the league to the position.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball continued his impressive steal numbers on Sunday for fantasy managers. In a 120-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Ball played 32 minutes and came away with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two three-pointers. The 2020 first-round pick now has multiple steals in three of his last four games and multiple three-pointers in four of his previous five. In November, he's shooting 49.3 percent from the floor, 40.7 percent from three, and 100 percent from the line, so he's really helping across the board at the guard position. He's currently the tenth-best player in nine-category leagues, and he won't drop outside the top-20 anytime soon with this type of usage and minutes workload.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball showcased his elite playmaking skills in Friday's loss to the Kings. Ball dished out a season-high 13 assists while committing just two turnovers, adding 24 points for his first double-double of the season. The 20-year-old has been on fire lately- as he's averaged 23.8 points, 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per contest over his last four games while maintaining 50/40/90 shooting splits. Ball is one of the best young talents in the league and has a great chance to keep rolling in a favorable Sunday night matchup against the Clippers.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (hip) is probable for Friday's game against the Kings. Ball's playing time hasn't been affected by the injury, as he played 34 minutes his last time out, a good sign for his status against Sacramento. The second-year pro is averaging 19.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game this season. He'll be a prime DFS candidate if active against a Kings defense allowing the sixth-most FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball scored a game-high 30 points in Monday's 113-110 loss to Cleveland, shooting 12-for-22 from the floor with a 5-for-8 record from downtown. He added seven rebounds and six assists to his line with two steals, two blocks and two turnovers in 34 minutes. The 20-year-old was fairly quiet most of the night as Cleveland controlled the game, but Charlotte made a big rally in the fourth quarter. Ball posted 13 points and four assists inside the final 12 minutes. Charlotte's young star had a couple of below-par performances lately, but he's bounced back with two strong efforts and will now carry the momentum into a matchup against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.

In a 125-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball bounced back from two poor performances to finish Week 2 with a flurry. In a season-high 33 minutes, Ball stuffed the box score with 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and four three-pointers. He was coming off a couple of dud road performances, so it was encouraging to see the sophomore get back on track at home. The 20-year old is currently a top-15 player in nine-category leagues and seems destined to beat his lofty preseason ADP as a late-second or early-third round pick.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball matched a career high with seven made three-pointers during a 25-point performance in Monday's overtime loss to Boston, shooting 7-for-19 overall from the field. He was 7-for-14 from downtown and 4-for-4 at the line with nine assists, five rebounds and six turnovers in 33 minutes. Ball had to exit the game early after fouling out in overtime. Miles Bridges also had 25 points in the game and added 10 rebounds. The duo has been the driving force behind Charlotte's early-season success and they now head into a juicy matchup against Orlando. The Magic have allowed the fourth-most points per 48 minutes to opposing point guards this season and their overall defense with a 112.8 rating is among the worst in the league.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, seven made three-pointers and two steals on 11-for-23 shooting from the field in Wednesday's 123-122 victory against the Pacers. Ball is coming off a strong rookie season in which he averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game before his season was ended early due to injury, and the 20-year-old has started his sophomore season in the best way possible with a very strong showing to help lead the Hornets to a comeback victory. Ball is a must-start player on a nightly basis and he will look to carry the momentum into Friday's matchup against the Cavaliers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have picked up the team option on coach James Borrego’s contract for next season, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the Hornets do not publicly release information about staff contracts. It's unclear if the Hornets will look to sign Borrego to a long-term contact. Borrego is 95-124 in three seasons with the Hornets, including a 33-39 mark this season. The Hornets qualified for the play-in tournament as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference but were eliminated after being routed 144-117 by the Indiana Pacers. Several players called the performance embarrassing. The Hornets were in fourth place in April, but injuries and COVID-19-related issues sidelined key players, including Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Devonte Graham and Malik Monk and the team began to slide. Charlotte finished the season losing its last six games. Borrego received an endorsement after the season from general manager Mitch Kupchak, who said he believes “the coach did a great job.” ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — While the Charlotte Hornets found a player to build around in point guard LaMelo Ball and made significant strides this season, coach James Borrego knows there’s plenty of work to do before his young team is ready to compete with the NBA’s elite. And he’s hoping a disappointing finish to the season will provide the impetus to get there. Charlotte was fourth in the Eastern Conference last month before injuries sent the team into a tailspin. The Hornets were 8-17 after Gordon Hayward went down with a season-ending foot injury and lost their final six games, including an embarrassing 144-117 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the play-in tournament. Borrego said the late season struggles serve as a “necessary step” for the Hornets. “Every great team, every great player has been hit in the mouth to close the season — every one of them,” Borrego said. “I have yet to see a player or organization from day one where they come out and are just rolling. It just doesn't happen. This... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and the Charlotte Hornets took another step toward the postseason with a 102-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Detroit trailed by two when rookie Killian Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds remaining, but he made just one of two free throws. Ball made his free throws at the other end, and Hayes missed a last-second 3-pointer. Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points for Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to make it at least to the play-in round. They are two games behind seventh-place Boston. “Every game’s important late in the season,” Charlotte's Terry Rozier said. “Melo came in and put us on his back.” Charlotte was without Miles Bridges, who was out because of health and safety protocols. “I don’t know the extent, the days. We have not confirmed that yet," coach James Borrego said before the game. “What that means,... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — LaMelo Ball scored 23 points, including two free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and the Charlotte Hornets took another step toward the postseason with a 102-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Detroit trailed by two when rookie Killian Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds remaining, but he made just one of two free throws. Ball made his free throws at the other end, and Hayes missed a last-second 3-pointer. Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points for Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to make it at least to the play-in round. They are two games behind seventh-place Boston. Charlotte was without Miles Bridges, who was out because of health and safety protocols. “I don’t know the extent, the days. We have not confirmed that yet," coach James Borrego said before the game. “What that means, for us down the road, I don’t know. He is out tonight, and we’ll just take it from here.” Terry Rozier scored 18... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball is ready to return to the Charlotte Hornets' starting lineup following a 21-game absence. Hornets coach James Borrego said the NBA rookie of the year candidate will start Saturday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons. The No. 3 pick in last year's NBA draft has not played since breaking his wrist on March 20 and undergoing surgery to repair the fracture. Borrego said guard Malik Monk will also return after missing 15 games with an ankle injury. “I don't have a specific number of minutes in mind,” Borrego said of how much they will play. “The biggest thing are the runs they are going to have out there, probably four- to five-minute runs. I don't think it will be anything past a five-minute run. How many of those runs, I'm not quote sure yet." Borrego said Ball will start in place of Devonte Graham. Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game this year and was named the NBA rookie of the month three times before being sidelined... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been cleared to return to individual basketball activity by doctors after having a cast removed from his right wrist. It's unclear at this point when he'll be ready to play in a game. Ball sustained a fractured right wrist during the Hornets’ March 20 game against the Los Angeles Clippers and has not played since. Ball underwent further evaluation on his wrist Monday by Dr. Michelle Carlson of The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The cast was removed and a CT scan confirmed the wrist has healed. Ball, the No. 3 overall selection in last year's NBA draft, was among the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year honors prior to the injury. He won Eastern Conference rookie of the month three times and is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.59 steals in 41 contests. Ball currently ranks first in assists and steals among rookies, second in scoring and is tied for second in rebounds. Since he was promoted to the starting lineup on Feb. 1, Ball is averaging 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 21 starts while shooting 46.4% from the field and 42.6% from 3-point range. The Hornets entered Monday night in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 28-28 with 16 remaining the season.