Hornets' Ball out at least 2 weeks due to calf strain
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has been diagnosed with a left calf strain and will miss approximately two weeks, the team announced Saturday.
Ball sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Charlotte's 98-94 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday and was unavailable for the team's Friday loss to the New York Knicks.
The 23-year-old is the NBA's second-leading scorer at 31.1 points per game - a career best - to go along with 8.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds per contest.
Hornets guard Tre Mann is also sidelined with a lower back injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced.
The absence of Ball and Mann will give more on-ball reps to Josh Green, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason. Green is averaging 6.9 points and 1.7 assists while shooting 48.1% from deep in his 17 games this campaign.
Charlotte is currently riding a four-game losing streak, placing them 12th in the East with a 6-13 record. The Hornets will host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
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