Miles Bridges’ poster dunk against the Hawks over Clint Capela on Sunday drew all kinds of warranted attention on social media as one of the best plays of the season. Take a look in the background or watch the replay from a different angle and you’ll notice LaMelo Ball in the background, jumping off the bench in celebration.
Ball has been a constant figure at the Hornets home games since his wrist injury, often positioned on the front row of the bench ready to launch into the air.
On Sunday, he did just that as Bridges launched into and through Capela. Credited with changing the culture around the franchise, Ball’s presence has provided a lift to the team.
“It’s great,” Bridges said. “It’s always great having LaMelo around just because of the type of person he is. He’s always positive energy and I feel like we can feel that on the court, too, as well, just having guys on the bench that’s supportive.
“Everybody knows that LaMelo’s dying to get out there and play but for him to just be a great teammate, it’s good to have him here.”
Ball has not been limited to cheering on from the bench during Hornets games. He’s become a more active participant in pregame, including doing workouts with his left hand prior to Sunday’s game.
An encouraging sign: LaMelo Ball doing a workout (lefty, with cast on his right hand) pic.twitter.com/d4X7jiXemW
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) April 11, 2021
On Tuesday, he was again taking part in pregame shootaround, this time having more fun by hoisting 3-pointers left-handed (via Number1isBest/Reddit).
Ball isn’t the only player that’s been around during his injury. Gordon Hayward was spotted on the bench as well. For the Hornets, it’s part of building their culture.
“I think it’s always great to have — whether it’s LaMelo back, whether it’s Gordon Hayward — guys that are hurt just being around the team supporting other guys,” Bismack Biyombo said, “because we treat ourselves as family. So, whenever the next guy goes down, you have to make sure you’re there for the guy that’s playing and support them. I think we’ve done a tremendous job at that and that’s the culture we’re trying to build here and we’re going to continue to stay on that path.”
The original timeline for Ball was four weeks in a cast before being re-evaluated and potentially beginning rehab. That four-week date arrives early next week, around April 20, which could give the Hornets a big boost in their playoff push.
[lawrence-related id=31210,31108,31031,30922]