Ball expected to miss rest of Hornets’ season
Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball is expected to miss the remainder of the NBA season due to a broken right wrist, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to the Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the team has not made the status of his injury public.
The Hornets said in a release earlier Sunday that Ball had an MRI exam in San Antonio that revealed the injury. The team said he would be listed as out indefinitely.
Ball appeared to be hurt after a fall in the Hornets’ 12598 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday. He appeared to be in discomfort playing into the second half.
The point guard was in the midst of a superb season for the Hornets and was a leading candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year honors. He is averaging 15.9 points and tops all rookies with 6.1 assists and 1.59 steals per game. The No. 3 pick has helped the Hornets into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, where they sit in eighth place after three straight losses.
Celtics 112, Magic 96: Jaylen Brown scored 34 points, hitting a careerhigh 10 3-pointers, to guide host Boston past Orlando and snap a three-game losing streak. The Celtics made 23 3-pointers in the game, one short of the franchise record. Brown was 10-for-18 from the distance and one short of Marcus Smart’s team record of 11 for one player.
Suns 111, Lakers 94: Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton both had 26 points as Phoenix beat LeBron-less Los Angeles at home. The Lakers were playing without LeBron James for just the second time this season after he suffered a high ankle sprain in Saturday’s loss to Atlanta.
76ers 101, Knicks 100: Tobias Harris made two free throws with 5.3 seconds left in overtime and visiting Philadelphia ran its winning streak against New York to 15 games.
Nets 113, Wizards 106: Kyrie Irving scored 28 points to push Brooklyn to a home win over Washington. Blake Griffin dunked for the first time since December 2019 in his Nets debut.
Bulls 100, Pistons 86: Laurie Markkanen had 16 points to lead Chicago to a win in Detroit.
Cavaliers 116, Raptors 105: Collin Sexton scored 36 points in Cleveland’s home win over Toronto. It marked the Raptors’ eighth straight loss.
Thunder 114, Rockets 112: Houston lost its team-record 20th straight game, this time at the hands of Oklahoma City at home. John Wall missed two shots in the final 10 seconds.
Pacers 109, Heat 106: Justin Holiday scored 15 points and hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime to lead Indiana past host Miami.
Pelicans 113, Nuggets 108: Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson each scored 30 points in New Orleans’ road win over Denver.
Mavericks 132, Trail Blazers 92: Luka Doncic scored 37 points in three quarters, leading Dallas to a rout in Portland.