Hornets Star Guard LaMelo Ball Reacts to Viral Car Crash

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 09: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts during the first half of a basketball game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Over the last 15 games, the Hornets have the seventh-best offense in the league. One of the big reasons why they have been so good is that LaMelo Ball has finally been healthy.

Ball has turned his season around. Earlier in the season, there were rumors that Ball wanted to be traded from Charlotte. Since that moment, the Hornets have started playing better basketball, especially on the offensive end. However, Ball had a massive off-court distraction recently.

A few hours before a game against the Rockets, Ball was involved in a car crash that went viral. Ball addressed that incident after the game for the first time.

GettyCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Addresses Viral Car Crash

Ball addressed the car crash very briefly following the game against Houston.

“I seen her get straight out of the car. I’m just alive and blessed. God is great, like I said.”

Charlotte has a great chance to make the play-in at the very least with how many teams in the East that are tanking. They are one of the few teams near the bottom of the standings that are trying to win games.

GettyCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

The Hornets Need Ball to Stay Healthy

If the Hornets are going to compete later in April and into the playoffs, they need Ball to stay healthy. This season, Ball has played in 46 games, which is already almost as many as he played all of last year. Health has been an issue for Ball over the course of his career.

The emergence of Kon Knueppel has really helped Charlotte’s offense reach its ceiling. Charlotte has the fifth-best 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. That prolific outside shooting gives them a shot to win any game they play, especially in the weakened East.

It’s unclear what ramifications the car crash will have on Ball. He could be charged with some sort of driving offense, but that has yet to be determined. Ball is uninjured, and it seems like the woman he hit is also not injured. That’s the best-case scenario from this crash.

Even if the Hornets don’t contend for a deep playoff run this year, they are set up well next year with all of the young talent they have.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano