Kenny Atkinson's quote resurfaces in the wake of another LaMelo Ball injury
![Jan 25, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images Jan 25, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3332,h_1874,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_hornets/01jjs9gkntafsn7ay5h9.jpg)
LaMelo Ball is once again dealing with an ankle injury, something that has been said of the Charlotte Hornets guard plenty of times since he was drafted. He stepped on Jarred Vanderbilt's foot while backpedaling to get back on defense on Monday night and had to leave the contest immediately.
It reminded former NBA guard Jeff Teague of a conversation he had with Kenny Atkinson. The current Cleveland Cavaliers coach had accepted the Hornets job before backing out of it, sending the Hornets spiraling into a second Steve Clifford era. Atkinson is now the frontrunner for Coach of the Year with the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jeff Teague recalls a conversation he had with Kenny Atkinson about LaMelo Ball before he was offered the job in Charlotte:
— Israel (@iohandles) January 28, 2025
“He’s unbelievable, he’s so talented. I would love to work with him. I just don’t know how healthy he’s gonna be.” pic.twitter.com/uXBUH0ncQU
When he was linked to the Hornets, Teague said that Atkinson was highly complimentary of Ball. "He's injury prone... he's talented, he's unbelievable, he's so talented. I would love to work with him," Atkinson said per Teague. "I just don't know how healthy he's going to be."
Ball has crossed the 40-game threshold just once in his career. With a new ankle injury occurring, it's not clear if he'll cross it this season. The Hornets immediately ruled him out Monday evening and didn't waste time listing him as questionable for tonight's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
The silver lining is that it's a different ankle than last year. He sprained his left ankle this time, but he had surgery on his right ankle last year. There's some cautious optimism that the injury isn't as bad as it could be, but it's yet again an ankle injury that is going to cost Ball at least some playing time if not a lot.
There's still no clear reason Atkinson decided to turn the Hornets down, but he did express some concern about Ball's health even then. It's an issue that has plagued the guard ever since, and it doesn't look like there's much relief on the horizon.
- MORE STORIES FROM HORNETS ON SI -
Hornets to be without four starters Wednesday night versus Brooklyn Nets
Hornets' Brandon Miller named to 2025 Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend
Josh Okogie proves his worth: Should he be in the Hornets' plans?
LaMelo Ball's injury could officially put the Hornets' focus on 2025-26