Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the 2024–25 NBA season after undergoing surgeries on both his ankle and wrist, the team has confirmed.

The 22-year-old point guard had been one of the few bright spots in a challenging year for the Hornets, averaging 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. However, lingering injuries ultimately forced him to seek medical intervention.

This NBA season has been marred by a wave of high-profile injuries. Ball now joins a growing list of superstars who have been shut down early, including Victor WembanyamaDe’Aaron Fox, Joel Embiid, Paul George (Philadelphia), Jalen Johnson (Atlanta), Kyrie Irving (Dallas), Jalen Suggs (Orlando), Dejounte Murray (New Orleans), and — likely — Damian Lillard (Milwaukee).

With many playoff hopefuls now adjusting their strategies, this season’s championship picture may be decided as much by medical reports as it is by on-court performance.