Charlotte Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball will sit out Thursday's game at the Denver Nuggets due to left ankle soreness.
Ball scored 27 points in Wednesday night's 100-97 win against the Los Angeles Lakers, including a driving layup with 14.2 seconds remaining to help snap Charlotte's three-game skid.
Ball, 23, is averaging 27.3 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games (all starts) during his fifth season with the Hornets. The former All-Star is shooting 41.8 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from 3-point range.
Ball missed five games from late January to early February due to a sprained left ankle, then sat out against the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 9 and the Orlando Magic on Feb. 12 because of left ankle soreness.