Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball escaped unhurt after being involved in a two-car collision in central Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon, around 5pm local time. The crash involved Ball's custom-made camouflage Hummer and another vehicle.
Local television station WSOC-TV obtained footage showing Ball, wearing an aqua Hornets hoodie, exiting his damaged truck and getting into another car before leaving the scene, with police officers already present. The footage revealed the left front tyre of Ball's vehicle was missing, while the driver of the other car calmly exited his vehicle and approached Ball's truck. No details about the other individual have been released.
A source familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to discuss details, confirmed Ball was not injured. A police report has not yet been made available.
The incident occurred hours after the Hornets held team practice. The team, which has won 10 of its last 11 games, is scheduled to host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, following the NBA All-Star break. They will then face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday before travelling to play the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
This is not the first time a professional athlete in Charlotte has been involved in a road accident. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton fractured his back in a 2014 crash near Bank of America Stadium, less than a mile from Wednesday’s collision. He was hospitalised overnight but returned to play within a week. More recently, in 2024, Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton injured his thumb in a separate two-car accident in the city.
