Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball will be locked into the weight room in the offseason if head coach Charles Lee has his way. "He's got to get stronger," Lee said about Ball Monday following the team's exit interviews. "Teams are trying to deny him, trying to be physical, and you can see early in the year when teams did it, it definitely bothered him," Lee said. "As he got used to it, he got a lot more comfortable, so it's going to start with his body. He's got to get stronger and more conditioned to be able to play both sides of the ball and sustain efforts. ... When you're one of the best players in the league, you have to be ready for physicality. In order to combat that, you have to be stronger." Building extra muscle on his 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame could also enable Ball to spend more time on the court. Over the past three seasons, he has played in just 105 games, causing frustration for fantasy managers.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) will require surgery to address a right ankle impingement and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. He will also undergo "a minor procedure on his right wrist." The 2020 No. 3 overall pick played well this season, averaging a career-high 25.2 points with 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. However. Ball will finish the year having logged only 47 games after appearing in 22 contests in 2023-24. Without question, he is an MVP-caliber player when healthy. But, based on Ball's inability to stay healthy, fantasy managers should consider other options heading into next season. In the meantime, KJ Simpson will likely work his way into the starting lineup, with the 22-year-old averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in five starts this season.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't play on Friday versus the Raptors. Statistically, Ball has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 25.2 points with 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. However, as has been the case over the years, he has been limited by injuries, appearing in only 47 games. The Hornets can't make the playoffs, and with only 10 games remaining on the schedule, Ball may not be on the floor for most (if not all) of them. As such, Damion Baugh, assuming he gets called up from the G League, may find his way back into the starting lineup, with the 24-year-old averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in two starts this season. KJ Simpson also has a chance to roll with the first five, with Miles Bridges and Mark Williams the favorites to lead the way offensively no matter who takes over at the one.

Charlotte Hornets guardLaMelo Ball(ankle) will be out of action for Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ball will sit out the second half of back-to-back games for right ankle injury management. The 23-year-old is coming out of a 25-point effort where he also logged five rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes during Thursday's 115-98 win over the Knicks. The Hornets will have several holes in their roster for this evening due to injuries, meaning Nick Smith,Josh Green, and DaQuan Jeffries could see expanded roles. Unfortunately, these three players won't make much of an impact on fantasy during tonight's matchup.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is good to go for Thursday's matchup with the Knicks. He wasn't available for Tuesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. As a result, Damion Baugh entered the starting lineup and finished with 11 points, nine boards, five assists, and one steal. But with Ball and Miles Bridges (illness) cleared to suit up, Baugh will lose most of his fantasy appeal. On the other hand, Ball is a must-start in any fantasy setup.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is expected to play on Thursday versus the Knicks. Statistically, the 23-year-old has had a fantastic 2024-25 campaign, averaging a career-high 25.4 points with 7.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. However, as has been the case over the years, he's missed time due to various injuries, limiting him to only 44 games. Ball was most recently sidelined for Tuesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks, paving the way for Damion Baugh to enter the starting lineup and finish with 11 points, nine boards, five assists, and one steal. Yet, Baugh won't see much attention from fantasy managers if Ball officially gets the green light. That will still apply if Miles Bridges (illness) misses another contest.

Charlotte Hornets point guardLaMelo Ball (wrist) is now unavailable for Tuesday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Due to right wrist soreness, the 23-year-old has been downgraded from questionable to out. Nick Smith, Damion Baugh and Wendell Moore will likely see expanded roles with the superstar guard officially out of action. His next chance to return to the floor is Thursday against the Knicks.

Charlotte Hornets point guardLaMelo Ball(wrist) has been downgraded to questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Ball is dealing with a sore right wrist. It does not look like the 23-year-old will suit up after the assigned questionable tag. However, if things change, Ball will take on a massive offensive load this evening. Miles Bridges(rest) will not be in the lineup. He has put up excellent stats in seven games when Bridges has been sidelined, averaging 37.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. If Ball is unavailable Tuesday night, Nick Smith Jr.andSeth Curry will see extra minutes during the contest.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is probable to face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. He is nursing a sore right wrist. If Ball is cleared for the action, he looks set to take on a massive load offensively, as Miles Bridges (rest) will not be in the lineup. Ball has put up sensational numbers in seven games without Bridges this season, averaging 37.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. If Ball encounters a setback and cannot play, Nick Smith Jr. and Seth Curry will be asked to contribute more.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (right ankle, injury management) won't play on Saturday versus Brooklyn. He didn't feel well heading into Friday's meeting with the Cavaliers. However, the 2020 No. 3 overall pick was good to go, although he finished with only 13 points before fouling out after just 23 minutes of action. Miles Bridges, who had 46 points against the Cavs, will be a popular DFS option while remaining a must-start in redraft formats on Saturday. Damion Baugh may enter the starting lineup and be worth streaming, especially with KJ Simpson not getting called up from the G League.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (illness) will play on Friday against Cleveland. He's been on the injury report with a nagging ankle issue. But Ball was in danger of missing Friday's game because of an illness. The Cavaliers are a top team in the National Basketball Association. However, the 23-year-old has averaged 27.5 points, 8.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in two meetings with Cleveland this season. With Ball on the floor, Damion Baugh will come off the bench, eliminating most of his fantasy potential.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (illness) is listed as probable for Friday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The star point guard is dealing with an illness, but it doesn't seem to be too severe since he's appeared in the last three games and should play in this one. Over the previous three contests, Ball has registered at least 20 points, three assists, and nine rebounds in each one while shooting a combined 26-for-68. While he remains a must-start, his efficiency and turnovers could be an issue in category formats.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Wizards. He has posted a career-high 26.3 points with 7.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals during the 2024-25 campaign. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old is once again battling an ankle issue, which has been a common theme for him since entering the league in 2020. With the Hornets not expected to earn a spot in the Play-In round, the team has no incentive to rush him back, meaning KJ Simpson may find himself spending more time at the one. The 2024 No. 42 overall pick has played well in his four starts throughout the season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals, so fantasy managers can keep him stashed in case Ball misses more games moving ahead.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't play on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The 23-year-old continues to battle ankle soreness, so he'll miss his second straight contest. Without him, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams should lead the way offensively. But KJ Simpson, who had 16 points, two boards, and two steals on Tuesday versus the Warriors, is worth streaming.

Charlotte Hornets guardLaMelo Ball(ankle) is questionable for Thursday's contest with the Dallas Mavericks. Ball is in danger of missing his second consecutive contest due to right ankle soreness. If Ball cannot suit up, KJ Simpson might get the nod to start for the second straight game. The 22-year-old Simpson finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors. Elfrid Payton will likely see an uptick in minutes on the floor as well if Ball is sidelined.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Ball is back in action after sitting out their last game due to an ankle injury. Honestly, Ball likely sat out for rest purposes considering it was the second leg of a back-to-back set. The expectation is that Ball will have his full workload against the Mavs. Elfrid Payton will shift back to the bench and lose most of his streaming value.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (rest, ankle) will be out on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors. Ball will sit out the second leg of a back-to-back after playing against Sacramento on Monday, where he posted 13 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and one steal in 29 minutes during a losing effort. His next chance to return will be Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. Elfrid Payton is expected to start in Ball's absence, but he carries minimal fantasy value, having scored just six total points across his last five outings.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (rest, ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Ball figures to be back in action after sitting out of Thursday's contest which was the second game of a back-to-back set. The Hornets aren't playing for anything this season, so it appears they'll continue resting their franchise guard in one leg of back-to-back contests. Fantasy managers should expect Ball to be a full-go for Saturday's game. Elfrid Payton finished with zero points, two rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes of action during a spot start on Thursday. He figures to resume his rotational role behind Ball on Saturday.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (right ankle injury management) will not play on the second night of a back-to-back set for the Hornets this Thursday night when the Hornets take on the Nuggets. Ball played 33 minutes on Wednesday and had 27 points, six assists, and five rebounds against the Lakers. After he sits out on Thursday, his next chance to play will be Saturday in Portland. Mark Williams (conditioning) is also out, so there will be plenty of work for KJ Simpson, Elfrid Payton, Nick Smith, and Seth Curry in the backcourt while Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will pick up work in place of Williams.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. As expected, Ball is back in action after missing the final game before the All-Star break. He's not expected to have any limitations which means Elfrid Payton is going to see a reduced role. Payton made a spot-start for Ball during the final game before the break. The assumption is that Payton is going to come off the bench as the primary backup to Ball. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Ball in their lineups ahead of tip-off.