LaMelo Ball's injury and 2 other X-factors as Hawks visit Hornets

The Atlanta Hawks are right back in action today after a thrilling win over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night, perhaps explaining why there was no time to revel in it for three-time All-Star Trae Young.

However, Saturday’s opponent – the Charlotte Hornets – suffered a big injury blow, losing star point guard LaMelo Ball for multiple weeks to a calf strain.

That, of course, means Ball will not suit up against Atlanta

Hawks catch break with LaMelo Ball injury

Ball is averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds this season. Like Young, Ball’s three-point efficiency (35.5%) leaves something to be desired considering his talent and what he has shown in the past.

However, also like Young, Ball is prone to getting hot from beyond the arc and, even more, hitting timely, momentum-swinging shots from anywhere on the floor.

Ball averages more points against just seven other teams than he does the Hawks in his career.

The Hornets are just 6-13 this season, so they are a team the Hawks should beat. But we know how those things play out in the NBA; just ask the Eastern Conference juggernaut Cavaliers and reigning champion Boston Celtics what they thought about the Hawks going into their games.

That means the Hawks cannot take the Hornets lightly into this matchup. 

Brandon Miller dangerous as 1A option

If Ball is the Hornets’ 1A option in the offense, second-year wing Brandon Miller is a close 1B, and he is fully capable of stepping up when Ball is out.

The Hornets did not have Miller in their loss to the Hawks earlier this season.

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, is averaging 19.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3.7 APG this season. He is shooting 36% from deep, but he is a versatile and aggressive scorer who offers something more than Ball on defense.

Miler was inefficient in the Hornets’ loss to the New York Knicks on Friday.

It was Charlotte’s first game without Ball during this injury absence, and Miller finished with 20 points on 28% shooting (2-for-11 3P).

S.L.B.T.B.

The header is an acronym for “Second Leg of a Back To Back.” Some may have also seen “SeGaBaBa,” which means the same things except instead of “Leg,” it is “Game.” Either way, it matters quite a bit for the Hawks and Hornets. 

The Hawks enter this contest 1-3 in those situations. Atlanta got their win over the Sacramento Kings in the second game of the Hawks’ four-part road trip out West.

The Hornets are 0-3 in their S.L.B.T.B games, losing by at least 8 points each time.