Lamelo Ball’s wrist is healed
Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball’s fractured right wrist has healed and he’s been cleared to start individual basketball activity.
When Ball might play again this season is yet to be determined.
Ball’s cast was removed and a CT scan confirmed the wrist has healed. He has been cleared to return to individual basketball activity, the team announced Monday night.
Ball was examined in New York by Dr. Michelle Carlson, who did his surgery last month.
Ball, who was having the top season in his rookie class, suffered a right wrist fracture in a hard fall during the March 20 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
He had surgery March 23 at New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery, performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson. After surgery, the Hornet’s said Ball’s injury would be re-evaluated in about four weeks.
Initially, there was concern Ball would be out for the remainder of the season. However, Hornets General Manager Mitch Kupchak said a few days following Ball’s surgery that there’s hope Ball would recover in time for the playoffs or even a portion of the remaining regular season.
“We don’t know if LaMelo is out for the season or not,” Kupchak said on March 26. “There is a possibility (of Ball playing again), just based on other players who have had this injury, that maybe he does come back for some portion of the year.”
Kupchak added that the Hornets would do nothing that might risk Ball long-term, by clearing him to play.
“If we get to the end of the (regular season), and we’re in a playoff hunt, and he’s not quite ready — (where) we feel we could get him back on the court and push it — we won’t do that,” Kupchak said.