The past few years have been somewhat unfair for the Charlotte Hornets, and this season has appeared to be the same for the organization. The absence of several key players was offset by LaMelo Ball's impressive production, which should be enough to secure him a second All-Star berth in February.
Unfortunately, the star also succumbed to the injury plague, sustaining a left calf strain. Per reports, he would be out for a minimum of two weeks.
The timing of the ailment would have been fine, if not favorable, had it sidelined Ball for just a game or two. However, the equation changed when it was revealed that the injury was more serious than initially anticipated.
LaMelo Ball will only miss a handful of games (hopefully)
Still, there is little reason for the Hornets and their fans to panic regarding Ball — for now.
For one, even if he is slated to miss two weeks, he won't have to miss that many contests. Charlotte's schedule in that span consists of just four more meetings, thanks to the NBA Cup knockout stage.
The eight teams that will advance past the group stage of the in-season tournament will feature in single-round elimination battles. Then, the four remaining squads will head to Las Vegas to duke it out in the semifinal and championship bouts.
Unfortunately, the Hornets have been eliminated after losing their first three Cup nights against the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Knicks. They still have one remaining matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, although that will be a non-bearing game, as neither can advance anymore.
The silver lining for the Hive is that it means more opportunities for Ball to recover and that the franchise might not be punished that much in the standings.
In addition, it can increase the chances of the 2021 Rookie of the Year not trying to play hero ball anymore when he returns to the hardwood floor alongside a Hornets squad at almost full strength. His past games before the injury saw him register astronomical usage rates. While Ball has proven capable of handling such a load or responsibility, it isn't sustainable for the star and the team.
Nick Richards has already made a comeback, giving the frontcourt additional depth. Mark Williams also appears ready to leave the injury report for the first time in nearly a year, although some rust should be expected from the promising center. Miles Bridges should also be back in the lineup soon. Tre Mann's case is a bit more precarious, as the combo guard is said to be dealing with disc issues.
It will be interesting to see how more effective Ball can be when the Hornets have as many healthy bodies as possible. So, hopefully, he won't have to be gone for long. His injury might be tricky, though, as it has historically taken out players anywhere between two weeks and three months.
If the 23-year-old point man's recovery period is projected to be on the lengthier end, then that's the time to sound the alarm on Charlotte's season.