James Bouknight Set to Make Return, LaMelo Ball Ruled Out

As expected, the Charlotte Hornets will not have the services of LaMelo Ball for tonight's in-season tournament game against the New York Knicks. They are calling the injury he suffered in the loss to Orlando an ankle strain, not a sprain. The Hornets have not revealed the results from the MRI, nor have provided a timetable for his return.

Charlotte will however see the return of fellow guard James Bouknight, who has missed the first 14 games of the season due to recovering from knee surgery he had done back in October.

Bouknight had the fourth-year option on his contract declined by the Hornets earlier this fall, meaning he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.

In 34 games last season, Bouknight averaged 5.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in roughly 15 minutes of action each game. The former first-round pick will need to stay healthy and show some sort of promise throughout the season for the Hornets to have any interest in bringing him back.

Charlotte will also be without Nick Richards (concussion protocol), Cody Martin (L Knee), and Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia) for tonight's game.

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