Overview
- The head-to-head collision occurred in the first quarter near Charlotte’s bench as both pursued an errant pass, briefly sending Ball to the locker room.
- Ball returned minutes later and finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 102-95 win over New Orleans.
- Charlotte rallied from 22 down for its seventh consecutive victory, matching its longest streak since 2016 and pulling within a half-game of 10th in the East.
- Lee called the play “foolish,” told reporters “I took a play off,” and apologized for causing the contact.
- With Ball’s recent availability under scrutiny and trade chatter in the background, there is no indication of a longer absence following the eye laceration.