Kicks

Why Was LaMelo Ball Playing in Old Puma Shoes?

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball fractured his ankle in his older Puma shoes.

Pat Benson

In this story:

No NBA team has had worse luck this season than the Charlotte Hornets. When LaMelo Ball went down with a non-contact injury early in the third quarter of Monday night's game against the Detroit Pistons, everyone knew it was bad.

We would soon learn that Ball fractured his right ankle and will be sidelined indefinitely. The All-Star point guard has dealt with multiple ankle injuries this season, and people understandably want answers.

Were Ball's Puma shoes to blame? Of course not. But we at FanNation Kicks have reported throughout this season on Ball's affinity for his first signature shoe - the Puma MB.01.

Ball has predominantly worn the Puma MB.01 this season, despite his second signature, the Puma MB.02, being pushed by the brand. Ball's kicks are not to blame because Puma shoes are trustworthy and capable of withstanding the rigors of multiple NBA seasons.

Puma MB.01

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball falls down during a game.
LaMelo Ball falls during a game / Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Charlotte has 19 games remaining and is not in playoff contention, so we have likely seen the last of Ball this season. Injuries robbed one of the league's most exciting players of a prime season.

Meanwhile, Ball's second signature shoe has been robbed of any limelight. The Puma MB.02 launched in October 2022 for $130. Ball debuted the fiery red hoop shoes at 2022 NBA Media Day and only wore them sporadically during the season.

When Ball's third signature shoe (presumably called the MB.03) launches next fall, it will be time for a new season and time to say goodbye to the model's predecessor. 

We wish a speedy recovery to both Ball brothers (LaMelo and Lonzo) as the two deal with recurring lower-body injuries of varying severity. Let's hope next season is the year they take the league by storm.

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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