Coach, Star Collide in Bizarre On-Court Mishap

Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee expressed deep embarrassment following a peculiar on-court collision with his team's star point guard, LaMelo Ball. The incident happened during the first quarter when Ball, attempting to save an errant pass, unexpectedly ran into the coach who was bending down to retrieve the ball. This resulted in a head-to-head impact near the Charlotte bench.

Ball was immediately taken to the locker room for evaluation. Trainers treated a one-inch laceration above his eye by gluing it shut. Despite the injury, Ball made a swift return to the game. He went on to be a pivotal player, scoring 26 points and securing eight rebounds. His performance was crucial in the Hornets' 102-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, marking their seventh straight win.

Coach Lee humorously threw himself "under the bus," accepting full responsibility for the mishap. He acknowledged that he took "a play off" and didn't anticipate Ball's movement. Ball, however, downplayed the incident, laughing it off and emphasizing the importance of the win. Lee lauded Ball's resilient spirit and his quick recovery, highlighting it as a sign of the player's continued growth.

Ball's contribution was significant throughout the game. He scored 18 points in the first half to help the Hornets overcome an early 22-point deficit. In the second half, he added a memorable two-handed dunk and five assists, committing only two turnovers by the game's end.