LaMelo Ball Probable to Return vs. Hawks

Charlotte, North Carolina – LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets' star point guard, is probable to return from a left ankle injury for Thursday night's home game against the Atlanta Hawks, offering a potential boost to a team mired in a slow start to the 2024-25 NBA season.

Ball has missed the past 10 games since sustaining the injury during a December 5 matchup with the Toronto Raptors. The 23-year-old, selected third overall in the 2020 draft, has a history of ankle problems that have limited him to just 16 of Charlotte's 26 games this year. Without him, the Hornets hold a 3-7 record, averaging 3.8 fewer points per game on offense. His presence improves the team's scoring to a 5-11 mark overall, though defensive metrics show a downside: Charlotte allows 121 points per game with Ball on the floor, compared to 114.3 without him. Ball's offensive prowess is evident, but his defensive rating ranks third-worst on the roster, with opponents shooting nearly 50% against him.

The Hornets enter the contest on a brief positive note, coming off an overtime victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atlanta, which won the first of their four-game season series by three points last month, has...