The Charlotte Hornets will manage LaMelo Ball’s workload in sets of back-to-back games to “maximize his availability,” according to Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer.
Per Boone, Ball may not start in consecutive games in order to play more in the fourth quarter of each contest.
He was left out of Charlotte’s starting lineup for a clash with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday after starting in the Hornets’ 97-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Ball finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists compared to just one turnover in the defeat at the hands of the Raptors. He shot 7-of-20 from the field and 1-of-7 from behind the arc.
It’s worth noting that Ball only played just over four minutes in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s contest, but connected on a layup that gave Charlotte a late two-point lead. Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley responded with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure the win, though.
While teams have often rested players in the first or second half of back-to-back games to preserve their health, it’s uncommon to see an organization alternate between starting someone such as Ball and having him come off the bench.
The 24-year-old has averaged 19.5 points, 7.9 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game on 40.8/36.4/87.2 shooting splits this season.
Health woes have persisted throughout Ball’s career, as he’s failed to suit up in more than 60 games during four of his first five seasons with the Hornets.
Ball was limited to a mere 47 appearances during his 2024-25 campaign due to ankle issues and played in just 58 of a possible 164 regular-season contests over the prior two years combined.
The Hornets currently sit at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 13-24 record, but are only four games back from the final play-in spot.
With Ball coming off the bench, Charlotte will rely on Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and standout rookie Kon Knueppel to handle larger offensive roles.
