lamelo ball not injured after downtown Charlotte two-car crash, available to play Thursday
Charlotte Hornets point guard lamelo ball was involved in a two-car collision in downtown Charlotte Wednesday evening but escaped without injury and was listed available to play the following night, the team confirmed. The crash occurred shortly before 5 p. m. ET at a busy intersection as the club returned from the All-Star break.
What happened in the downtown collision
The incident took place at the intersection of Trade Street and Tryon Street just before 5 p. m. ET. Ball was driving a camouflage-colored, custom 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 when his vehicle collided with a gray sedan. Witness accounts indicate the sedan was traveling east on Trade Street while Ball was traveling west and attempted a left turn onto Tryon, which is a one-way street, at the time of the crash.
Video captured at the scene showed Ball wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie. His Hummer was left on the side of the street, notably missing a front wheel. Police officers were present at the scene and the driver of the other vehicle exited calmly and walked toward Ball's truck. At one point, Ball got into a Lamborghini and was driven away from the location. A police report was not immediately available.
Team status, schedule and context
The Hornets had held practice earlier in the day, and the club listed Ball as available for the team’s game on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets as squads returned to action after the All-Star break. The team has been red-hot recently, winning 10 of its last 11 games heading into the matchup.
The incident in Charlotte adds to a string of notable vehicle collisions involving professional athletes in the city over the years. Previous high-profile crashes in the area have resulted in serious injuries, underscoring the potential severity of such events. In this case, Ball suffered no reported injuries and was cleared to play the next night.
Authorities and the team have not released a full police report, and details about the other driver’s condition were not available Thursday morning. The Hornets and local law enforcement continue to process information from witnesses and video captured at the scene.
With the game scheduled for Thursday evening, the focus shifted quickly back to the court. Ball’s availability preserves the Hornets’ lineup continuity as the club looks to maintain its late-season momentum.
