LaMelo returns from 7-game absence vs. 76ers
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball returned to the lineup Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing the last seven contests with a strained calf.
Ball was in the starting lineup despite Hornets head coach Charles Lee saying pregame that he would be on a minutes restriction, according to The Associated Press' Steve Reed.
The former All-Star was in the midst of a breakout year prior to the injury, averaging a career-best 31.1 points while adding 5.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists on 43% shooting ahead of Monday's action.
The 23-year-old was sitting third in the NBA in scoring prior to Monday's contest. He dropped a career-high 50 points on Nov. 23 in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, which he followed just two days later with 44 points in a defeat to the Orlando Magic.
The Hornets went 1-6 without the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year. They sat 7-18 on the campaign and 13th in the Eastern Conference before Monday's clash.