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101 articles
CHA • Point Guard • #1
3 days ago
LaMelo’s 10 three-pointers tied the Hornets franchise record. The 24-year-old point guard played only 27 minutes, but caught fire from beyond the arc. Ball also had seven assists and zero turnovers, only adding to his masterful performance. The Hornets have three games upcoming in Week 18, starting with a matchup against the Bulls on Tuesday.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
5 days ago
In the past, a poor shooting night would lead to Ball having a terribly inefficient night overall. He’s grown this season, and the Hornets point guard committed two turnovers in Friday’s defeat. That was one of the reasons why Charlotte was able to hang with the Cavaliers despite LaMelo struggling with his shot. Fantasy managers may not take much solace in that, but it’s a clear sign of growth for the point guard.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
18 days ago
Ball didn’t shoot the ball well on Saturday, but he offered value in other ways. His nine assists led the Hornets, and he committed just two turnovers. During Charlotte’s nine-game win streak, he’s averaged 2.7 turnovers per game, an improvement on his season average (3.1). Ball will have his work cut out for him on Monday, as the Hornets open a five-game Week 17 at home against the Pistons.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
20 days ago
While Ball is shooting 39.7 percent from the field over the past two weeks, his overall production is one reason why the Hornets have won their last eight games. Since shooting 0-of-10 from three in a January 21 loss to the Cavaliers, LaMelo has made at least two triples in each game of the win streak. While turnovers and shot selection can still be an issue for Ball, he’s making strides to the delight of the Hornets and fantasy managers.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
24 days ago
Ball took a hit to the face early in this game after both he and head coach Charles Lee went for a ball that was going out of bounds. Ball went to the locker room, but he was able to return and push Charlotte’s winning streak to seven games. Ball hasn’t been the only reason for Charlotte’s recent success, but he has only missed three games since November, which is a great development for him. They continue to manage his minutes, which has allowed him to stay available. That limits his impact in the box score, but he’s still able to be more productive that most players in limited action.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
24 days ago
Though Ball’s injury appears to be minor, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his playing time for the rest of the game and check to see if he shows up on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Rockets.
Source: Hornets PR
CHA • Point Guard • #1
24 days ago
Inclement weather, which prevented the Spurs from getting back to Texas after losing on Saturday in Charlotte until mid-afternoon Sunday, is the reason for the time change. Fantasy managers with Pelicans or Hornets on their rosters will need to set their lineups a few hours earlier than they may have planned.
Source: NBA Communications
CHA • Point Guard • #1
26 days ago
While Ball didn’t have the best day shooting the basketball, including a 3-of-9 afternoon from inside the arc, his work as a playmaker helped the Hornets extend their win streak to six games. During the run, the Hornets’ point guard’s assist-to-turnover ratio has been excellent, with Ball recording 47 assists and 17 turnovers. He’s shooting just 36.5 percent from the field over the last two weeks, which has negatively affected Ball’s fantasy value. That said, fantasy managers should be encouraged by the decrease in turnovers.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Recently, the Hornets have taken measures to manage Ball’s workload, so the training staff must have loved Monday’s outcome. Charlotte won by a large margin, beating the 76ers 130-93, which led to Ball playing only 20 minutes. Fantasy managers who have him rostered would have hoped for a more competitive game given the impact on Ball’s playing time, but keeping him healthy throughout the season is Charlotte’s priority.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball played 32 minutes for the first time in 12 days, a span of five games. The 24-year-old had 20 points on 19 field goal attempts, but his real value came from setting up teammates. Ball had 11 assists and the Hornets won their third consecutive game when he has double-digit assists. He’s provided seventh-round per game value over the last two weeks.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball got off to a hot start for Charlotte, scoring eight of their first 11 points and assisting on the other three. He didn’t stay that hot, but he was back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench on Wednesday. He logged 28 minutes after playing 22 minutes on Wednesday. The limited minutes may get frustrating during these back-to-backs, but Ball has been able to stay healthy for about the past month, which can only be seen as a positive.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Due to the expectation of inclement weather in the Charlotte area, the start time for Saturday’s game has been moved up to 12 p.m. Eastern. Fantasy managers need to be mindful of this when setting their lineups for that day.
Source: Charlotte Hornets
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball will be back in the starting unit after coming off the bench during the first leg of this back-to-back, which is a new strategy that they’ve used during their last few back-to-backs to maximize his availability. That will push Sion James to the bench.
Source: Charlotte Hornets
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball was initially listed as questionable to play against Orlando after coming off the bench on Wednesday, which is a tactic they have used during back-to-backs to ensure LaMelo can play both legs and be available to close games. He should be back in the starting lineup for this game since that is what they’ve done in recent back-to-backs, which means Sion James will head to the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball came off the bench on Wednesday, which seemed to be an indication that the Hornets were hoping to monitor his minutes on the first leg of a back-to-back, but now it’s possible that he may not play on Thursday. Of course, Ball shot just 1-of-12 from the field, so his thumb likely played a major role in that. Sion James may start in his place again.
Source: NBA.com
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
Ball’s strong scoring performance on Thursday marked the second time in the past four games that he’s recorded at least 30 points, and the second time over the past three games he’s notched 25 or more points. The three-point shot was the focal point again on Thursday, as he set a new season-high in makes. Ball also reached double figures in assists to land his sixth double-double of the season, but the recent scoring uptick has been the real story for Ball, who began 2026 with four straight games under 20 points. He continues to play well and has brought strong fantasy production in the process.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 1 month ago
After ending 2025 on a run of five consecutive games with at least 22 points, Ball’s scoring output has fallen off to begin 2026. He only has two games of 20 points or more in seven appearances this month. Averaging 19.3 points on 43.6 percent shooting, Ball is ranked just outside the top-50 in eight-cat formats over his last seven games. That certainly isn’t poor value, but fantasy managers likely want more from Ball, given how well he played to close out 2025.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
Five was the number of the night for Ball, with three of the four statistical categories in which he hit that number being positive. The Hornets’ guard was responsible for five rebounds, five assists, five three-pointers...and five turnovers. By now, fantasy managers know to expect high-turnover nights from Ball, but the five on Saturday were the most in a game for him since December 31. However, Ball has been a top-25 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, so turnovers aren’t going to cause too much stress among fantasy managers.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
After coming off the bench in Thursday’s loss to the Pacers, as it was the second game in as many nights for the Hornets, Ball is back in the starting lineup. Collin Sexton will come off the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling. The other four starters are unchanged, with Ryan Kalkbrenner coming off the bench in his first game back from an elbow injury.
Source: NBA Lineups
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
With Thursday’s game being the second in as many nights for the Hornets, the training staff altered its approach to Ball’s minutes. He was brought off the bench against the Pacers, but that did not negatively affect the point guard’s production early on. Ball scored 11 points in each of the first three quarters, and the 33 points were two more than what he produced in his prior two appearances combined. If Thursday’s approach is the one that Charlotte takes with future back-to-backs, that would be good news for managers who have Ball on their fantasy rosters.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
Ball was upgraded from probable to available, giving the Hornets their starting point for Thursday’s contest. Ball’s minutes will be on the second night of a back-to-back after recording a 15/7/7 line in the loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Ball is averaging just 15.0 points and 5.8 assists across four games in January. Fantasy managers will hope the former third-overall pick can find his groove.
Source: NBA Injury Report
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
Ball has not missed a game since December 14th, and it seems likely he will play in both games of a back-to-back. He’s averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over his last two weeks, which has made him a top-50 player in fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA.com
CHA • Point Guard • #1
about 2 months ago
Ball has scored at least 22 points in five of his last six games. The story with the 24-year-old point guard Monday has been the same for most of the season. Ball had a good game with 26 points, seven assists and six three-points, but also had six turnovers. It’s his second game in a row with six turnovers and third time he’s had six turnovers in a game this month. Ball is averaging 3.8 turnovers per game in December. It’s been a drag on his value in nine-category leagues.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
Ball was just 4-of-12 shooting early on, finishing with 12 points in the first half. He managed to turn things around down the home stretch, reaching the 20-point plateau for the fourth time in five games since returning from a brief three-game absence back on December 18. The 24-year-old all-around threat is averaging 19.7 points, 5.4 assists, 8.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks over 21 games this season, delivering seventh-round value for fantasy purposes. The Hornets, who have won four of their last five games, are back in action on Monday when they face the Bucks to open a busy four-game week.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
The story hasn’t changed with Ball, who remains one of the fantasy landscape’s most dynamic offensive catalysts when healthy. Availability continues to be the lingering question, but he’s delivered steady production when on the floor, averaging 19.6 points and 8.7 assists through 20 games for roughly sixth-round fantasy value. Encouragingly, he’s appeared in four straight contests without issue after missing three games earlier this month with a bone bruise in his left ankle.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
Ball enjoyed one of his more efficient offensive performances of the season, shooting 50 percent from the field while committing three turnovers. The Hornets guard finished one assist shy of a double-double, which would have been his seventh of the season. As long as he can remain healthy, Ball can be a valuable option for managers competing in eight-cat leagues or punting turnovers.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
Ball is dealing with a sore right wrist, but the probable tag suggests that he will ultimately be cleared to play. If so, he’ll look to redeem himself after a poor showing in Saturday’s loss ot the Pistons. If Ball can’t play, Tre Mann and KJ Simpson will absorb the available minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
Ball struggled and was vastly outplayed by Cade Cunningham in the 112-86 loss to the Pistons. The 24-year-old point guard had just eight points on 14 attempts and had four turnovers. Ball was -27 in 23 minutes. The Hornets have three games in Week 10, starting with a matchup with the Cavaliers on Monday.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
Ball returned to the court after missing the last three games with a bone bruise in his left ankle. The 24-year-old point guard ended up having a great game with most of his damage coming in the first half. Ball started the game strong with 21 points, eight assists and seven three-pointers in the first half. He played 29 minutes as he wasn’t on a minutes limit Thursday. Ball and the Hornets will have Friday off before Saturday’s game against the Pistons.
CHA • Point Guard • #1
2 months ago
After missing Charlotte’s last three games with a bone bruise in his left ankle, Ball is officially available to play. His minutes will be restricted, so KJ Simpson won’t fall out of the rotation entirely. That said, there isn’t much to gain from holding onto Simpson if you’ve been streaming him. Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Ryan Kalkbrenner complete the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report