Report: Police allowed Hornets’ LaMelo Ball to leave crash scene

The timing, though, hasn’t helped. The incident came just over a week after Charlotte teammates Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate were suspended for fighting, adding another layer of unwanted attention to a team trying to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Hornets coach Charles Lee acknowledged the distraction, but framed it as part of a broader learning curve.

“There’s always going to be distractions — in life, in basketball,” Lee said. “A big part of who we want to be is how we respond when we’re faced with adversity.”

The Hornets, owners of the NBA’s longest playoff drought and sitting 10th in the East, need stability as much as momentum.

Ball played Thursday night, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in a loss to Houston.