It happened again: LaMelo Ball exits with injury after Brandon Miller's return

Roderick Boone, The Charlotte Observer on Dec 5, 2025

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If there was any doubt, the scene on the Charlotte Hornets’ bench 90 minutes before the opening tip was thrown in the air squashed it, providing insight even before the official word was handed down about who would play.

After missing the initial two games of the Hornets’ road trip in New York, mostly because the team’s performance staff thought resting his left shoulder was a good idea, Brandon Miller worked up a serious lather, getting into form for his first action in nearly a week.

“Yeah, it’s always great when you can add a player of Brandon’s caliber,” coach Charles Lee said. “I think that his overall just competitiveness, his overall talent, athleticism and length, it helps you defensively, his activity. I mean, he’s kind of all over the place.”

The Hornets’ third-year swingman was back, making the Hornets’ starting lineup whole again. Well, for about a half anyway.

Instead of feeling good about getting one of their best players back, the Hornets are in familiar territory once more. And not the good kind. Chalk it up to star guard LaMelo Ball exiting the game early in the second half of the Hornets’ 111-86 win over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.

The play Ball was injured on looked extremely innocent. He slipped early in the third quarter getting back in transition, sprawling out on the court. He rose to his feet and appeared to be fine, but it wasn’t long before he strolled to the bench, checking out of the action with only 1:51 having elapsed in the half.

Upon informing Pat Chasse, the Hornets’ vice president of medical and performance, what the issue was, Ball walked back to the visiting locker room with him, ending Ball’s night prematurely and evoking more thoughts of “Groundhog Day” thanks to the ended list of injuries for the Hornets (6-17).

Still, having Miller in the fold provided a modicum of positivity for a team in dire need of some. Miller posted 12 points and fought through some rust, making 5 of 14 shot attempts.