Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets in Charlotte, North Carolina, just one day after being involved in a two-car crash in the city on February 18, 2026, as confirmed by the team's decision not to list him on the injury report. The Hornets are currently one of the NBA's hottest teams, having won 10 of their last 11 games, with Ball playing a significant role in their recent success. According to video obtained by WSOC-TV in Charlotte, Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camouflage-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle. The footage showed Ball, wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out of his truck and into another car before being driven away, while police were already on the scene. Video evidence also revealed that the left front tire of Ball's truck was missing following the collision, though no police report has been made available to the public. This incident is part of a concerning pattern of professional athletes being involved in car crashes in Charlotte, including former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton who fractured his back in a 2014 crash, current Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton who injured his thumb in a 2024 accident, and former Hornets guard Bobby Phills who was killed in a car crash in 2000.
LaMelo LaFrance Ball ( lə-MEL-oh; August 22, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Hornets with the third overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft. Ball was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021...
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Toyota Center, located in Downtown Houston.
National Basketball Association team in North Carolina, US
The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball...
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Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play against the Rockets a day after being in a car crash Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team’s injury report and is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, one day after being involved in a two-car crash in Charlotte By STEVE REED AP sports writer February 19, 2026, 11:13 AM CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is not listed on the team’s injury report and is expected to play Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, one day after being involved in a two-car crash in Charlotte. The Hornets are one of the NBA’s hottest teams having won 10 of their last 11 games and Ball is a big reason for that success. Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camouflage-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle Wednesday, according to video obtained by WSOC-TV in Charlotte. The station later posted video of Ball, wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie , getting out his truck and into another car before being driven away. Police were on the scene at the time. A police report has not been made available. There was no information available on the person in the other car involved in the collision, although video showed that driver calmly get out of his car and begin walking toward Ball’s truck after the crash. Video showed the left front tire of Ball’s truck was missing. Ball is just the latest professional sports athlete to be involved in a car crash in Charlotte. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: FBI has reached out to Mexican authorities, sources say Feb 18, 5:22 PM The mysterious Nancy Guthrie abduction: A full timeline 3 hours ago Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton fractured his back in a 2014 crash in which he flipped his pickup truck near Bank of America Stadium — less than a mile from where Ball’s crash occurr...
