The Nets (14-33) sit just two games back of the Hornets (12-31) in the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes, and if Ball doesn’t play Wednesday, it makes it more likely that the Nets will beat them. Charlotte could also lose more games going forward if Ball, their leading scorer, misses extended time.

On Wednesday night, the Charlotte Hornets will host the Brooklyn Nets in North Carolina. For the game, they will be without their best player, as LaMelo Ball h

Against the Lakers on Monday night, all-star PG LaMelo Ball suffered an ankle injury. He had an MRI on Wednesday and it revealed a left ankle sprain. Ball is expected to miss at least one week for the Hornets.