The Charlotte Hornets could be getting a much-needed boost on Wednesday night as LaMelo Ball is listed as probable for the team’s matchup against the New York Knicks. Ball has been dealing with a wrist injury but logged just over 29 minutes in the Hornets’ recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and 14 assists on 3-of-9 shooting from the field.
While Ball’s shooting touch has been inconsistent, his playmaking has remained a bright spot. That 14-assist performance against Brooklyn was a reminder of the kind of offensive engine he can be-even when the shot isn’t falling.
But Charlotte’s injury report doesn’t stop with Ball. The Hornets will be without Brandon Miller and Tre Mann, both of whom have been ruled out for Wednesday’s game.
That puts even more pressure on Ball to carry the offensive load if he’s able to go.
Through 14 games this season, Ball is averaging 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. The scoring is there, but the efficiency hasn’t followed suit-he’s shooting just 37.8 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Brandon Miller and Tre Mann are out for tomorrow's game against the Knicks. LaMelo is probable.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 2, 2025
It’s been a tough stretch for the former All-Star, who’s also missed seven games already this season. The Hornets are 2-5 in those games, which speaks volumes about his value to this team even when he’s not at his best.
The last time Ball faced the Knicks, he struggled to find a rhythm, scoring 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting in just under 27 minutes. That game was emblematic of a larger trend-Ball has now played eight straight games without logging more than 30 minutes, which suggests head coach Charles Lee is being cautious with his usage, especially given the wrist issue and Ball’s recent shooting woes.
And the shooting slump is real. Ball hasn’t hit more than three 3-pointers in any of his last 10 games and has only done so once over that stretch.
Despite the Knicks allowing the fourth-most made threes per game this season, Ball’s recent form makes it hard to project a breakout from deep. He went 2-for-7 from beyond the arc in his last outing against New York and has been under 30 percent from three for the season.
Still, if Ball does suit up, there’s always the potential for him to impact the game in ways beyond scoring. His court vision and ability to create for others remain elite, and with Charlotte short-handed, he’ll likely be tasked with initiating much of the offense. Whether that translates to a bounce-back performance or another night of managing through injury remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Hornets need LaMelo Ball on the floor if they want to keep pace in a tough Eastern Conference matchup.