NBA Rumors: LaMelo Ball Taking ‘Steph Curry Approach’ to Help Combat Ankle Injuries

Jack MurrayOctober 25, 2024

Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is emulating a legendary peer as he looks to put together a healthy 2024-25 season.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that the 23-year-old is wearing ankle braces, like Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, in hopes of avoiding injuries that have derailed his prior two seasons.

“It’s a huge year for Ball, who has played just 59 games since his breakthrough All-Star season in 2021-22,” Bontemps wrote. “To help combat that, Ball has taken the Stephen Curry approach to his balky ankles, sources said, wearing strong braces to try to avoid having the same injury issues that have cut short each of his past two seasons.”

Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 75 games during that 2021-22 season. He played 36 games in 2022-23 and just 22 games in 2023-24, so getting back to playing nearly a full season would be a huge boost for Ball and the Hornets this season.

He got off to a hot start in Wednesday’s season opener against the Houston Rockets. He scored 34 points with 11 assists and eight rebounds in 38 minutes in Charlotte’s 110-105 win.

Having more performances like this could play a major role in helping Charlotte reach the postseason for the first time since 2015-16. With Curry having played at least 60 games in 11 of his 16 NBA seasons, it looks like Ball is taking a great approach to his physical health.