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LaMelo Ball Benched: Hornets Shake Up Lineup vs. Pacers
9 Jan
Summary
- LaMelo Ball will come off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets.
- The Hornets face the Indiana Pacers, who are on a 13-game losing streak.
- Trade rumors swirl around Ball following the lineup change.
The Charlotte Hornets, with a 13-24 record, are set to face the Indiana Pacers, who are enduring a 13-game losing streak. The Hornets have announced a surprising starting lineup change, with LaMelo Ball designated to come off the bench. This marks the first time Ball has started a game on the bench since his rookie season in January 2020.
Ball's benching comes after a reportedly inconsistent start to January, shooting 40.4% from the field and 34.5% from three in four games. Head coach Charles Lee is expected to elaborate on the decision later. The timing of this move, shortly after Trae Young's trade to the Washington Wizards, has intensified discussions surrounding Ball's potential departure.
Speculation about Ball's future has been fueled by earlier rumors that he was open to a trade, which he later publicly denied. With the NBA trade deadline approaching on February 5th and Ball now coming off the bench, uncertainty surrounds his status with the Hornets.
