This isn't a surprise — what's the point of him returning now to an 18-54 team? — but now it is official:
The Charlotte Hornets have shut LaMelo Ball down for the remainder of the season.
INJURY UPDATE: @hornets guard LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season as he continues to rehab from his right ankle injury.
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) March 28, 2024
Ball has been out since three days after Thanksgiving when he suffered an ankle injury against the Magic, landing awkwardly after getting a shot up over Paolo Banchero.