The Hornets have a LaMelo Ball problem after hitting a new low this season

The Charlotte Hornets’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday was understandable. They fielded their starters for the first time this season, even though three of them have yet to fully recover from their injuries.

In the opposite corner was a Sixers team that may have been without Joel Embiid and Jared McCain, but was still headlined by two All-Star caliber players in Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. The pair combined for 73 points, which outpaced the Hornets’ entire starting lineup.

Thursday, however, was a different story. The Hornets had no business losing to the Washington Wizards, who despite the win still trail all teams in the standings this season. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising for Charlotte to join them in the basement, having lost 11 of its last 12 games.

LaMelo Ball currently has the third-highest usage rate in a season

Hornets star LaMelo Ball tried his best to lead his team to victory, delivering 34 points, 13 assists and four steals. However, he shot just 11-32 from the field and 3-18 from the 3-point line. Interestingly, it wasn’t even his worst shooting night from beyond the arc in the 2024-25 campaign.

Being without Brandon Miller was too much to overcome for the Hornets’ offense, although the good news for the organization is that the other swingman could return soon.

Still, even with Miller looking after her, Charlotte has proven too dependent on Ball. In fact, the 2022 All-Star leads the league this season in usage rate at 39.7 percent. Significantly behind are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.

If he maintains this pace for the rest of the season, Ball would finish with the third-highest usage rate in a campaign. Russell Westbrook holds the record with 41.7 percent, which he recorded during his MVP run in the 2016-17 campaign. In second place is James Harden. The former Houston Rockets superstar had a 40.5 percent usage rate in the 2018-19 season, helping him finish as a runner-up in the MVP race after winning it the year before.

While Westbrook and Harden will likely end up in the Hall of Fame one day, their play hasn’t exactly been associated with winning basketball. And Ball joining them in the record books might not be good for his reputation.

Some people already agree that he possesses an “empty calorie game,” and there are Hornets fans who have called the front office to trade the former Rookie of the Year in exchange for assets that could help the team in the future.

Of course, it’s unfair to blame Charlotte’s woes solely on Ball. The franchise also needs to do a better job of giving him the necessary support. Strengthening the roster won’t cut it, as the coaching staff also needs to upgrade its offensive playbook. Otherwise, the Hornets could continue to free fall in the standings and risk displeasing their star.