Collin Sexton Sidelined as Hornets Face Injury Woes Before Lakers Clash
The Charlotte Hornets are dealing with a rough stretch right now, and things just got a bit more complicated. Alongside star point guard LaMelo Ball, who’s been nursing a stubborn right ankle injury, veteran guard Collin Sexton has also been ruled out due to a neck strain. This double blow comes just as the team prepares to face the Los Angeles Lakers, adding more concern to an already challenging early season.
Collin Sexton’s neck issue came after a hard fall during the Hornets’ game in New Orleans last Tuesday. He reportedly also chipped a tooth in that same incident, which shows just how tough that landing was. Although Sexton managed to go through the team’s shootaround on Friday, head coach Charles Lee mentioned that the guard didn’t feel completely ready to return. The team isn’t rushing him back, but Lee did sound optimistic that Sexton could rejoin the lineup soon once he feels fully recovered.
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For Charlotte, this couldn’t come at a tougher time. LaMelo Ball, the team’s main offensive engine, continues to sit out with an ankle impingement that first flared up earlier this month. The injury has already kept him sidelined for several consecutive games, and the Hornets’ offense has clearly suffered in his absence. Ball has been averaging 23.3 points, nearly eight rebounds, and close to ten assists per game this season — a huge void for any team to fill.
With both Ball and Sexton unavailable, the Hornets are being forced to rely heavily on their bench and rotational players to carry the load. The lineup shuffling has made it difficult for them to build rhythm, and the pressure now falls on young players to step up in ways they might not have been fully prepared for.
Coach Lee mentioned that Ball has started participating in light team activities again and that his recovery is progressing gradually. The team is taking a cautious, day-by-day approach, determined not to aggravate the ankle further. The hope is to have him back soon, but there’s still no firm timeline.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are dealing with some injuries of their own — LeBron James remains out due to sciatica, though there’s optimism around Austin Reaves potentially returning. Still, the Lakers are expected to have more stability heading into the matchup, which could spell trouble for a Hornets team short on key contributors.
In short, the Hornets are in survival mode. Without LaMelo Ball orchestrating the offense and with Collin Sexton sidelined, their backcourt looks thin. For now, the team’s focus remains on recovery and resilience — hoping their stars return soon before early-season struggles turn into something much harder to overcome.
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