LaMelo Ball Breaks Silence on Charlotte Car Crash Incident
For the first time since his Wednesday collision in Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has spoken to the media about the incident. The 24-year-old basketball player addressed reporters after his team's 105-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, marking his initial public comments since the crash that left his 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 disabled with a missing wheel and resulted in minor injuries to one occupant.
The Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
According to eyewitness accounts and video obtained by TMZ Sports, the collision occurred in Uptown Charlotte approximately ten minutes before Ball was seen sitting in his disabled vehicle. The footage shows the Hornets guard eventually getting into a Lamborghini and being driven away from the scene. No official reports have indicated that Ball left the crash site without proper authorization, though questions have been raised about the timing of his departure.
The incident involved two vehicles and resulted in one person sustaining minor injuries. Ball's luxury Hummer suffered significant damage, particularly to one wheel area that rendered the vehicle inoperable at the scene.
Ball's Media Appearance and Basketball Focus
During his post-game media availability, Ball made it clear he preferred to keep the conversation centered on basketball rather than the crash. When directly questioned about the incident, the guard offered brief, spiritual-focused responses that sidestepped detailed discussion.
"Unfortunately, just everybody. Cool. So just blessings… I'm just alive and blessed for him…" Ball stated when asked about the crash. He maintained this approach when questioned about how he managed to play basketball just hours after the wreck, responding: "God is great, like I said…"
As reporters pressed about why he appeared to leave the crash scene quickly, Ball concluded with: "As you saw during the post game press or after the first game since the crash.. So just blessings. God is great…" before ending the interview.
On-Court Performance Following the Incident
Despite the off-court drama, Ball returned to basketball action with a steady performance against the Houston Rockets. In 31 minutes of play, the former No. 3 overall draft pick recorded 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, coming close to a triple-double despite the Hornets' loss.
Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee expressed relief that Ball emerged from the accident physically able to play. "The first thing when you hear about any type of accident is you hope all parties involved are OK, and they're healthy and they're safe," Lee commented. "He was able to come in today, feeling good, ready to go."
Looking Ahead for Ball and the Hornets
The Hornets organization now turns its attention to their next game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Ball and his teammates will attempt to bounce back from Thursday's defeat. Ball showed no visible signs of physical limitation during his post-crash performance, though his shooting percentages reflected the challenging circumstances of playing so soon after a traumatic event.
This incident marks another chapter in what has been an eventful season for the young guard, who continues to be a focal point for the Charlotte franchise both on and off the court. The team's medical staff will likely monitor Ball closely as he continues his season following the vehicular incident.
