Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball has been ruled out for Sunday afternoon’s game against the host Detroit Pistons due to left ankle soreness.
Ball boasts team-leading averages in points (28.0), assists (7.4) and steals (1.3) for the Hornets, who snapped a six-game losing streak with a 117-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
Ball, 23, made a major impact against the Spurs after missing the previous five games due to the ankle injury. He contributed 24 points and 10 assists in the victory.
Like Ball, fellow guard Nick Smith Jr. was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday’s game due to tightness in his lower back.
Smith, 20, is contributing 7.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
Guards Elfrid Payton and Isaiah Wong likely will see increased roles on Sunday for the Hornets, who visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
