Hornets Will Start LaMelo Ball vs. Sixers on Wednesday

LaMelo Ball will pick up another start against the Sixers.

The Charlotte Hornets have battled with the idea of starting the third-overall draft pick LaMelo Ball or having him continue to come off the bench this season. At first, it seemed logical to ease him into the starting lineup slowly.

But up until two nights ago, Ball remained in a role coming off the bench. Of course, the idea of having a star like Ball comes off the bench didn't sit right with LaVar Ball and other fans of the Hornets and the NBA.

Since Ball is off to a hot start this season, averaging 12 points-per-game, six assists-per-game, and 5.9 rebounds-per-game, many believe the rookie is deserving of a spot in the starting lineup. However, the Hornets wouldn't budge.

Finally, on Monday night, the Hornets had no choice but to cave and give Ball his first start as the team was shorthanded. In 31 minutes of action, the rookie guard collected 14 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. 

It's unclear if his progress has earned him a permanent spot in the starting lineup or not, but he will get another nod to start once again on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego addressed the media a couple of hours before tip-off on Wednesday. That's when he revealed that starting guard Terry Rozier will not play against the Sixers. With Rozier being out of the lineup, Ball will get the start once again against the 76ers.

The last time Philly and Charlotte met, Ball averaged 12.5 points in 30 minutes of action for both games. Although he showed flashes, his contributions weren't enough to help the Hornets take the Sixers down as Philly defeated Charlotte twice back in January.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA