The Charlotte Hornets face a monumental challenge in their home game tonight, December 7, 2025, as they host the Denver Nuggets at Spectrum Center with a severely depleted roster. The biggest blow comes with the official confirmation that star point guard LaMelo Ball has been ruled out, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the team's chances.
LaMelo Ball's Ankle Injury: Details and Impact
The Hornets' primary playmaker, LaMelo Ball, suffered a significant setback during the team's recent matchup against the Toronto Raptors on December 5. Early in the third quarter, just under three minutes into the half, Ball rolled his left ankle while playing defense. The incident forced him to immediately leave the court for the locker room, limiting his participation to only 12 minutes of action for the night.
Initially described as left ankle soreness, further medical evaluation revealed a more serious left ankle bone bruise. This diagnosis prompted the team to sideline him for the crucial clash against the Nuggets. This marks Ball's eighth missed game this season, a worrying reminder of the persistent ankle issues that have hampered his promising career.
Ball's absence is a massive loss for Charlotte's offensive engine. He was showing signs of regaining his elite form, coming off a 34-point performance against the New York Knicks and having scored 11 points before his early exit against the Raptors. The team will now be without his average contributions of 19.9 points and 8.9 assists per game.
Charlotte Hornets' Extensive Injury List
The problem for the Hornets extends far beyond just LaMelo Ball. The team's injury report reads like a casualty list, severely testing their backcourt depth and rotational options.
The confirmed absentees for the Denver game include:
- Collin Sexton (left quadriceps strain)
- Tre Mann (right knee bone bruise)
- Pat Connaughton (right calf strain)
- Josh Green (recovering from left shoulder surgery)
- Grant Williams (recovering from right knee surgery)
Additionally, forward Moussa Diabate is listed as questionable due to right knee soreness. This wave of injuries threatens to halt the momentum from the Hornets' recent 3-2 surge in form.
Matchup Outlook: Depleted Hornets vs Road-Tested Nuggets
Facing the reigning NBA champions without their chief creator, the Hornets' strategy will need a complete overhaul. The team must find a way to compensate for the loss of Ball's unique skills—his logo three-pointers, creative drives, and exceptional pace control that often energizes the entire squad.
The challenge is compounded by the quality of the opposition. The Denver Nuggets arrive in Charlotte as a formidable road team, even though they are dealing with their own injury concerns, missing Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Julian Strawther.
Tonight's game, therefore, transforms into a severe test of the Hornets' "next-man-up" mentality and youthful resilience. Emerging players and role players will have to step up in a major way to keep the team competitive against one of the league's elite teams. The outcome may hinge on whether Charlotte's collective effort can overcome the glaring absence of their star talent and navigate this critical point in their schedule.
