Is LaMelo Ball playing tonight? Exploring Hornets guard's availability vs Grizzlies | 2024 NBA preseason

LaMelo Ball is available to play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. As per ESPN, Ball is not listed on the injury list and is healthy to hit the hardcourt. The Charlotte Hornets will travel to Memphis to take on the Ja Morant-led squad at the FedEx Forum.

However, the Hornets will be entering the matchup down two men. As per ESPN, big man Mark Williams is listed out because of a tendon strain in his left foot. Nick Smith Jr. is also listed out because of a left groin injury he suffered during training camp.

LaMelo Ball has always been a player with great potential, but his injuries have held him back from maximizing his abilities. Ball had a great rookie year with the Hornets after being selected as the third pick in the 2020 draft. He won the Rookie of the Year award over Anthony Edwards.

However, in the 2022-23 season, he fractured his ankle in a game against the Detroit Pistons, which his team won with a final score of 117-106. After further evaluation, the Hornets announced that Ball would be out for the rest of the season.

During the 2023-24 season, LaMelo Ball played only 22 games, averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

Now fully recovered, Ball is looking strong for the 2024-25. He has played in the first two preseason games for the Hornets and led his team in points in both games. He scored 18 points in their 111-109 loss against the Knicks and 24 points in their 111-108 win against the Miami Heat.

Miles Bridges praises LaMelo Ball for improvement post-injury

After their second preseason game against the Miami Heat, Hornets star Miles Bridges praised LaMelo Ball for his stellar return.

"Everybody's been waiting for Melo to play, and he's showing what he's capable of, preseason or not. He's going out there, he's hooping, playing defense, making the right reads, talking ... just seeing that improvement from Melo is big for us," Bridges said.

Melo arguably is the biggest star on the Charlotte Hornets roster. The 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year has the potential to take his team past the play-in tournament if he manages to remain healthy.