The season of LaMelo Ball came to an abrupt halt again two weeks ago, during the meeting between Charlotte and Orlando. After a drive against Paolo Banchero, the leader of the Hornets collapsed again, victim of a new sprain in his right ankle.
For the first time since this new twist of fate, Lonzo Ball's little brother spoke publicly, expressing his satisfaction with each small development, like when he was able to remove his splint, even if the “process” is not moving forward. not fast enough for his liking.
“Just being able to wear two shoes and being able to walk a little bit, touch the ball, it’s always awesome. So that already makes me feel better. Progress remains slow. I am in care every day, I try to progress”, he confided. “I feel a lot better than when it happened because at first I couldn't even put weight on my foot. But now I can stand on my own two feet, walk a little. I still limp a little, but it’s much better than before.”
LaMelo Ball unfortunately had no hope after his fall. He immediately felt a pain that had become familiar, since the player has become accustomed to sprained ankles since arriving in the NBA.
“Yes, I knew I had injured my ankle. This is probably what disturbed me a little. I was like shocked. I really felt like I couldn't put any pressure on it, so I didn't even try.”.
“Stephen Curry didn't have ankle problems early on? »
To try to keep morale up, LaMelo Ball focused on his role as leader and got as involved as possible with his group. His attitude is praised by Steve Clifford, who has also been trying to see the bright side of a very complicated situation since the start of the season.
“He’s always been great. He wants to be with us. He's starting to feel better, but he loves the game, so he's great with his teammates. He is a great support, he is present in training. We see him a lot in training, he's on the sidelines watching. He wants to make sure that when he comes back, he'll be on top. He is passionate about the game.”
LaMelo Ball can only be patient and to regain his morale, he takes an example from Stephen Curry, whose first seasons were marred by repeated sprains.
“I guess that’s life. We play basketball, we get injured, we recover. Stephen Curry didn't have ankle problems early on? » he asks. “You shouldn’t see things like that. You see where he is, so you have to keep working. There are other people in the same situation who continue to play. I rely on God. I don't worry about it.”
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | CHA | 15 | 33 | 44.3 | 38.8 | 85.7 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 24.7 |
| Total | 177 | 32 | 42.8 | 37.8 | 83.1 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 19.9 | |
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.
