LaMelo Ball

Hornets rookie PG LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a fractured right wrist and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Fantasy Impact

Ball will seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis, but at this point it sounds like he’ll be out the rest of the season. That’s a tough blow for the rookie of the year front runner and for the Hornets as a team. Devonte’ Graham likely enters back into the starting lineup as a result of this news, making him a must-add in fantasy leagues.

LaMelo Ball scored 13 points (4-12 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-7 FT) with five rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a turnover across 22 minutes in Saturday's 125-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fantasy Impact

Ball left Saturday's game early in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be an injury to the wrist on his right hand. The rookie still managed to score double-digits and forced three steals before his exit. Fantasy managers should continue to roster and start Ball, assuming that his wrist will be OK to play against the Spurs on Sunday. If Ball is unable to suit up, look for Devonte' Graham to become an instant value play in DFS contests against the Spurs.

LaMelo Ball scored 26 points (10-18 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-5 FT) with five rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and six turnovers across 33 minutes in a 116-105 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Ball led the Hornets in scoring and dished seven assists against the Lakers but it wasn't enough to secure a win on Thursday. The rookie point guard remains a must-start moving forward based on his elite passing and ability to finish at the rim. Fantasy managers will have their next opportunity to get Ball into lineups when the Hornets play the L.A. Clippers on Saturday night.

LaMelo Ball scored 14 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 3-4 FT) with a rebound, two assists, a steal, and two turnovers across 22 minutes during Wednesday's 129-104 blowout loss against the Denver Nuggets.

Fantasy Impact

The rookie point guard struggled to get much going against the Nuggets, disappointing fantasy managers with just two assists and one steal. Ball did manage to shoot 45 percent from the field but his lack of involvement in other statistical categories really hurt his value based on the price he was drafted at. Fantasy managers should not be discouraged and can start Ball against the L.A. Lakers when the Hornets travel to play them on Thursday during the next stop of their five-game road trip.

LaMelo Ball scored 16 points (7-15 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-3 FT) with four rebounds, four assists, and a steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 122-116 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Fantasy Impact

The rookie point guard shot 46 percent from the field on Monday, missing all three-point attempts but preserving his value through four assists and his defensive effort. Ball should continue to be rostered in most formats but his salary on DFS sites might drop based on his quiet play on Monday. Ball is a matchup-dependent play and Nuggets PG Jamal Murray could make things difficult for the rookie, which is why he should be faded at his current salary during Wednesday's DFS slate. He remains a solid starter in season formats, assuming there are not any quality pivot options to scoop off of league waiver wires.