Is there reason to sound the alarm bells because LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller (left ankle) each missed their third straight game while Cody Martin (left knee soreness) was unavailable for the second consecutive outing? Not really, judging by Lee’s tone when asked about the status of the trio. Sounds like there’s a possibility for a return later this week when the Hornets hit the road for a mini two-game trip to Detroit and Cleveland. “My feel on the situation is no practice (Sunday), a lot of treatment, a lot of get-what-you-need type of day, recovery day,” Lee said. “This morning, we had a shootaround and a lot of those guys didn’t participate in a major part of shootaround. “They obviously have a couple days between now and Detroit and we’ll kind of see where they are. I guess you feel where my sentiment is and where I’m leaning, but we’ll see in these next couple hours.”
Source: Charlotte Observer
Source: Charlotte Observer
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
Not sure if LaMelo or Miller will play tonight –Hornets have lost seven straight 15 of 16 . 5:45 CT pre from Charlotte Bulls- Hornets. 🐝 @670TheScore @Audacy pic.x.com/kbyR0rqLFc – 4:16 PM
Not sure if LaMelo or Miller will play tonight –Hornets have lost seven straight 15 of 16 . 5:45 CT pre from Charlotte Bulls- Hornets. 🐝 @670TheScore @Audacy pic.x.com/kbyR0rqLFc – 4:16 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder take their first free throw with 5:33 left in the first half.
Hornets despite being down LaMelo and Miller lead the free throw battle so far 10-1. – 6:51 PM
Thunder take their first free throw with 5:33 left in the first half.
Hornets despite being down LaMelo and Miller lead the free throw battle so far 10-1. – 6:51 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Cody Martin are all OUT vs OKC today. – 5:09 PM
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Cody Martin are all OUT vs OKC today. – 5:09 PM
More on this storyline
With Ball sidelined for the third straight game due to a combination of left ankle and right wrist soreness, joining Brandon Miller on the bench in street clothes, he was powerless during the Hornets’ 111-108 overtime loss at Spectrum Center. Now, the magic number still sits at three — as in the amount of occasions the Ball brothers have been healthy enough to lock horns. “I think they are too nice to each other,” Miles Bridges said. “I think they don’t like playing against each other. But nah, you want to see them play against each other. They are both very talented and they grew up together. So, you would love those types of matchups. “Hopefully the next time we play against the Bulls, they’ll be able to play against each other.” -via Charlotte Observer / December 31, 2024
Rod Boone: Charles Lee said the three doubtful players – LaMelo, Brandon Miller and Cody Martin – didn’t participate in shootaround this morning. Not official yet, but sounds like they will be out for sure against Bulls. Said they’lll be re-evaluated leading into Friday’s game in Detroit. pic.x.com/SqEwsH1Fwo -via Twitter @rodboone / December 30, 2024
How does L.A. fix what still ails it? This deal removes the largest expiring contract the Lakers could use in any future trade. Anything they do now would have to rely on aggregating multiple contracts that go beyond this season and, most likely, would carry negative value to receiving teams: Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt. Those three and Jalen Hood-Schifino’s expiring $3.9 million deal can combine to make $43.6 million in outbound salary and could take back roughly the same amount while keeping L.A. under the collective bargaining agreement’s second apron (remember, the Lakers would have to backfill empty roster spots in a four-for-one or three-for-one trade). That amount is enough to match the salaries of most of the star players they’d be considering. Zach LaVine, for instance, makes $43 million; Anfernee Simons makes $25.9 million; LaMelo Ball (sure, let’s go there) makes $35.1 million; and De’Aaron Fox (what the heck, let’s go there, too) makes $34.5 million. -via New York Times / December 30, 2024
Rod Boone: Mark Williams is available tonight against Oklahoma City, but LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Cody Martin are all out, league sources told @theobserver. #Hornets will be thin against the Thunder. -via Bluesky / December 28, 2024
Rod Boone: LaMelo (left ankle soreness/right wrist soreness), Mark Williams (left thumb) and Brandon Miller (left ankle) are listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against Oklahoma City. All three reported soreness after last night’s game in Washington and still participated in today’s -via Twitter @rodboone / December 27, 2024