Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will take the court Thursday night against Houston despite being involved in a two-vehicle collision in Charlotte on Wednesday. Video footage shows Ball’s custom camouflage Hummer sustained damage in the crash, but the NBA star appears uninjured and is not on the team’s injury list.
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball will suit up for Thursday evening’s matchup against the Houston Rockets, just one day following his involvement in a two-vehicle accident in Charlotte, North Carolina. The point guard’s name does not appear on the team’s official injury report.
The collision comes as the Hornets continue their impressive streak, capturing 10 victories in their past 11 contests, with Ball serving as a key contributor to the team’s recent hot streak.
Television station WSOC-TV captured footage showing Ball navigating through an intersection when his specially designed camouflage Hummer struck another vehicle on Wednesday. Additional video revealed Ball, dressed in a turquoise Hornets sweatshirt, exiting his damaged vehicle and departing in a different car while law enforcement officers remained at the scene.
Authorities have yet to release an official incident report regarding the collision.
Details about the occupant of the second vehicle remain unavailable, though footage captured the other driver calmly stepping out of their car and approaching Ball’s truck following the impact.
The video clearly showed Ball’s truck had lost its front left wheel in the accident.
This incident adds Ball to a growing list of Charlotte-area professional athletes who have experienced vehicle accidents in the city.
In 2014, former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton suffered a fractured spine when his pickup truck overturned near Bank of America Stadium, occurring less than one mile from Ball’s Wednesday crash site.
More recently in 2024, Panthers reserve quarterback Andy Dalton sustained a thumb injury during a two-vehicle collision within Charlotte city limits.
Tragically, former Hornets player Bobby Phills lost his life in a fatal car accident at age 30 on January 12, 2000, following a team practice session.