LaMelo Ball’s durability has been a bright spot for the Charlotte Hornets this season. However, that streak is coming to a halt. The 23-year-old has officially been ruled out for the NBA Cup clash with the Knicks because of a soreness in his left calf. Ball sustained the injury during the final moments of the team’s matchup with the Heat previously, leaving the Hornets without their star point guard for at least one matchup in this critical stretch.

The team is monitoring his condition closely and will provide updates when necessary, but his status for Saturday’s game against Atlanta is already uncertain. This setback adds to the Charlotte side’s injury-plagued early days.

For one, they are already missing quite a chunk of key contributors in Miles Bridges (knee), Nick Richards (rib), Mark Williams (foot), and Tre Mann (low back). In addition, Grant Williams’ season also came to an early end after suffering a torn ACL. But LaMelo Ball had remained more or less consistent throughout all this.

Despite dealing with minor issues, like a bruised tailbone in October; LaMelo Ball remained on the floor. Moreover, this season marks the first year of his lucrative max rookie extension, which could very well be over $200 million. That said, staying consistent has been a challenge for LaMelo throughout his career.

The Hornets face an uphill battle without LaMelo Ball

Injuries have been a recurring theme in Melo’s career, (Well, it has been one for the Ball family, too. Think of Lonzo) casting a shadow over his undeniable talent. Across his first 4 seasons, Ball suited up for more than 51 games just once—during his All-Star campaign in 2021-22. That year effectively showcased his ability to lead the Hornets. But again, injuries have derailed his consistency.

Last season was grueling, as ankle surgery in March and lingering soreness limited him to a career-low 22 games. The Hornets were without their star point guard for the final 3 months, leaving them struggling to maintain momentum without their offensive engine.

Now, with LaMelo Ball on the sidelines again, the Hornets face yet another hurdle in what has already been a difficult stretch. They have already lost three straight games, as well as five of their last six! Despite showing resilience, such as clawing back from a 20-point deficit against Miami, they have struggled to execute when it matters the most.

With a Knicks team eager to assert dominance in the NBA Cup, Charlotte will certainly need more flashes of strength to reverse their fortunes. What’s your prediction? Let us know below.