LaMelo Ball’s return to the lineup is not going as expected. He made the trip to the Great White North as the Hornets take on the Raptors. But things went sideways. Apart from creating a meme on his first game back, Ball suffered a nasty injury. Worse still, the refs saw him and pretty much shrugged it off. LaMelo also took on the same attitude to return to the game and nearly turned the tide. However, the Raptors’ last-minute play ended the game 108-110 in their favor.

The incident happened in the third quarter with over nine minutes were left in the game. The Hornets were down 1 point (61-62) at this time. Ball caught an elbow right in the middle of his face from Raptors’ guard, Immanuel Quickley. It was bad enough for his nose to bleed like a faucet and bring an official timeout. He was attended to at the bench with towels and medical staff.

The entire incident happened a few feet away from a referee. It was visible in every replay. And yet no foul was called. Even the announcers were stunned at the lack of whistle.

Fortunately it didn’t seem to be that serious. After a bit, Ball was back in the game. He hit a three at the end of the third quarter that brought the Hornets within 81-83 and dropped a few dimes too.

LaMelo also played the fourth quarter where his assist to Miles Bridges resulted in a three that put Charlotte ahead by 108-106. Unfortunately for them, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett scored consecutively and the game ended in the Raptors’ home win.

The 24-year-old played all of 28 minutes. He finished the game with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists on a 45.3% shooting and going 7-for-7 at the free throw line.

Unfortunately for the Raptors too, their win and Ball’s own bloody nose were overshadowed by LaMelo’s… ‘leadership.’

LaMelo Ball was ‘heard’ in epic return

LaMelo Ball’s right ankle has been problematic for a while now. It got him sidelined for five straight games. The Hornets were simulataneously depleted with six players on the injured list. The result was four consecutive losses.

Going into the Raptors game, Hornets nation could breathe a sigh of relief seeing LaMelo Ball back in the starting lineup. The point guard has established himself as a vocal leader but tonight it got too literal.

In the first half, before inhaling an elbow, the Hornets were on a run with the ball in Sion James’ hands. LaMelo was spearheading it and wanted to get James’ attention. So he screeched “BAAALLLL” like a talking pterodactyl on steroids. He was not even mic’ed up and the entire ScotiaBank Arena heard his demand for the Ball. Maybe it’s having the most on-brand basketball last name but that moment became an instant meme. The amount of replays and his lack of subtlety buried his bleeding nose in the deepest recesses of the Internet.

It even discounted the fact that his supersonic voice worked. James passed the ball to Ball who dished it to Kon Kneuppel. He made a three and tied them at 11-11.

Now we just need LaMelo to do a presser to show if his nose and vocal chords are intact.