Oklahoma City Thunder secures Quarterfinals berth in NBA Cup

In Charlotte, North Carolina, LaMelo Ball made his return to the Charlotte Hornets lineup on December 16, 2024, after a seven-game absence caused by a strained calf muscle. This marked the first time this season that all five starters for the Hornets were on the court together, a critical milestone for the struggling team. Ball had been performing at an All-Star caliber prior to the injury, averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Hornets had a rough stretch of games in his absence, managing only one win and sitting at 7-18, placing them 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to Ball's injury, the Hornets intended to start him alongside Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and the recently returned Mark Williams. However, injuries to Williams and Bridges, combined with Ball's own injury problems, strained the team's lineup and performance. Many players were still adjusting and attempting to create offensive opportunities in the absence of their key players. During the game against the 76ers, Hornets coach Charles Lee mentioned the importance of having depth and versatility in the team, which he believed was improved with the return of both Ball and Bridges. While Philadelphia was without key player Joel Embiid due to a right sinus fracture, the return of Ball presents a chance for the Hornets to regroup and push for a better record. Ball expressed his excitement to be back and his dedication to improving his performance in tandem with the rest of the team. Their forthcoming games will determine if the Hornets can leverage this newfound unity and potentially recover from their poor start in the season, as they try to get back into contention for playoff positioning. Their ability to perform cohesively with all starters present will be crucial in determining their immediate prospects in the league moving forward.