The Charlotte Hornets have grown somewhat optimistic LaMelo Ball could return from his broken wrist before the end of the season.
The prognosis post-surgery was that Ball would be re-evaluated in four weeks, which is approximately April 20.
“We don’t know if LaMelo is out for the season or not,” Mitch Kupchak said in a conference call with Charlotte media Friday morning. “There is a possibility (of Ball playing again), just based on other players who have had this injury, that maybe he does come back for some portion of the year.”
Kupchak emphasized the team would do nothing to jeopardize Ball’s future for short-term gain.
“You do have to think it through” when Ball would be healed enough to safely play, Kupchak said. “The one thing we know we’re not going to do in any event is put his health in jeopardy.
“If we get to the end of the (regular season), and we’re in a playoff hunt, and he’s not quite ready — (where) we feel we could get him back on the court and push it — we won’t do that.”