LaMelo Ball made his much-awaited return for the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, and it's clear as day how different their offense is whenever he suits up. Zach Lowe even pointed it out on his show earlier this week, saying that, "With LaMelo Ball on the floor, they would have the No. 1 offense in the NBA equivalent on the team level."
Unfortunately, Ball has been on the sidelines more often than people would like. The reason for his recent five-game absence is actually a bit concerning due to the nature of his injury. His right ankle has already undergone two procedures, and the fact that he is still dealing with it might not bode well for his long-term health.
So, one could say that building around Ball is both a gift and a curse for Charlotte. The franchise has not had someone as talented as him, and finding an equivalent replacement would need a lot of luck in the draft lottery, in recruiting via free agency, or in the trade market. On the other hand, fans have yet to really see how far the team can go with the 2022 All-Star as the cornerstone due to his nagging bouts with injuries.
Hornets' recent close loss showed how badly they need LaMelo Ball
Ball's return to play turned out to be an exciting affair, as Charlotte gave up an overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. It was a competitive battle until the final minutes. Nevertheless, it was still an impressive outing for Buzz City, especially since Giannis Antetokounmpo also suited up, and Milwaukee-native Kon Knueppel turned in a career night in front of reportedly around 2,000 of his family and friends.
However, if Ball didn't need to have his minutes restricted, the outcome might have been different. He played only 27 minutes and sat out the extra period, finishing the contest with 16 points and 10 assists on a 5-15 shooting clip. Despite the inefficient scoring night, he logged a plus/minus of +11, which meant the Hornets were outscored by 24 points when he was off the floor, as they lost 147-134.
While some fans likely appreciated Charlotte's performance, partly because of how Ball gave its offense a much-needed jolt, others were probably hoping for a win because of how crucial the matchup was for the team's chances in the NBA Cup. Now, it is 0-2 in the in-season tournament, and any sliver of hope it had in advancing to the next round despite losing the first game to the Miami Heat has been dashed.
Sadly, until Ball finally figures out how to get his body right, the Hornets' offense will remain inconsistent, and fans will have to deal with watching the squad struggle to pick up wins.