LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets strained his left calf and will be reevaluated in two weeks, missing his first game of the season against the New York Knicks. As the NBA's second-leading scorer, his absence significantly impacts the team's offense, which ranks 26th in the league.

With Ball out, second-year player Brandon Miller is expected to take on a larger role, while rookie KJ Simpson may also see increased minutes. The Hornets currently sit at 6-13 and are set to face the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers in upcoming games.