CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For not less than three quarters, the Charlotte Frelons had their beginning 5 projected onto the sphere collectively for the primary time this season.
After which, one other brutal damage.
The hornets forward Brandon Miller left Monday evening’s 121-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers within the fourth quarter with a sprained left ankle. He did not come again.
Head coach Charles Lee stated it was unclear how lengthy Miller could be out.
Lee stated Miller first twisted his ankle in entrance of the Hornets bench when he stepped on somebody’s foot, then shortly after made a mistake whereas making a layup to chop Philadelphia’s lead at 97-91 with 8:20 left. The officers stopped play and Miller expressed his frustration as he left the court docket and headed straight to the locker room, ending with 12 factors in 31 minutes.
Lee was excited earlier than the sport to lastly have the ability to put his beginning 5 on the sphere after the return of Ball LaMelowho had missed the final seven video games with a calf damage.
The Hornets entered coaching camp intending to begin Ball and Miller alongside Miles Bridges, Josh Inexperienced And Marc Williams. Nevertheless, Williams began the season injured, and Miller and Bridges additionally missed time with accidents. Then Ball obtained damage and the Hornets went 1-6 with out him.
Ball completed with 15 factors and 11 assists in almost 26 minutes in his return.
“I assumed defensively he was engaged,” Lee stated. “His protection on the ball was fairly good and offensively we obtained to see a few of his skill to make performs and create pictures for himself and his teammates. He was capable of shake off some rust, and he’ll proceed to enhance.”
Ball was enjoying at an All-Star stage earlier than the damage, averaging 31.1 factors, 6.9 assists and 5.4 rebounds per recreation.
The Hornets (7-19) will want all fingers on deck in the event that they hope to get again into the playoff race. They entered Monday in thirteenth place within the Japanese Convention.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
