Former All-Star guard won’t return this season for Hornets

Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season as he continues to rehab from right ankle surgery, the team’s PR department tweets.

It comes as no surprise that the team is shutting down its star player. The Hornets have the Eastern Conference’s third-worst record at 18-54.

Ball signed a five-year max extension in July. However, his young career has been sidetracked by injuries. He appeared in 51 games in his rookie season and 75 in his sophomore campaign. A wrist injury limited his rookie season.

Last season, he was only able to suit up for 36 games. His season was cut short by a fractured right ankle that required surgery.

This season, he appeared in just 22 games, averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He hasn’t played since Jan. 26 after the ankle flared up again.

Earlier this month, Ball was reportedly on track to return to action this season. That never materialized. The team initially described the injury as right ankle soreness and later diagnosed it as ankle tendinopathy.