Between Lonzo Ball and his little brother LaMelo, doctors and physiotherapists have no shortage of work! While Lonzo is still forced to treat his knee, it is at the ankle level that the problem lies for the “ankle breaker” leader from Charlotte. Last season ended prematurely for him again with a fracture of his right ankle on February 28. One more injury which hampered his progress in addition to putting the Hornets already in great difficulty under pressure.
After having seven months to recover, the leader of the Hornets made a big decision in order to try to protect this fragility in his ankles by finally deciding to wear ankle braces. Like Stephen Curry ten years ago after his repeated sprains. While he was reluctant at first, LaMelo Ball, who wears rather low shoes, visibly got used to this protection more quickly than expected.
LaMelo Ball missed 46 games last season
“I will wear an ankle brace yes”, he confirmed during Media Day in Charlotte. “I thought it was really going to be a big change. But it’s okay, I don’t feel too bad about it.”
The player had already mentioned this possibility without commenting last March for his first public appearance after his operation. A few months later, his choice is made, and all the Hornets can rejoice, starting with Miles Bridges, whose return will also bring a new dimension to Steve Clifford’s training. But the priority for Charlotte’s success will be to have a healthy LaMelo Ball over 82 games, and more if desired.
“Melo is a great all-around player. The only thing to worry about is whether he can stay healthy. And I think wearing ankle protectors will help. It’s a choice that Kemba Walker also went through. He had put on knee pads and ankle pads. I think it’ll help him, he’ll just have to adjust to it.”
We don’t know if Kemba Walker is the best example to follow on a physical level…
| LaMelo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 51 | 29 | 43.6 | 35.2 | 75.8 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 15.8 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 75 | 32 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 36 | 35 | 41.1 | 37.6 | 83.6 | 1.2 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 23.3 |
| Total | 162 | 32 | 42.6 | 37.7 | 82.8 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 19.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
