LaMelo Ball spoke to the media for the first time since his Wednesday incident in Uptown Charlotte, where his Hummer lost a wheel and one person sustained minor injuries. The 24-year-old basketball player chose to keep the focus strictly on basketball following the accident as the Charlotte Hornets faced a narrow 105-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.
When questioned about the crash, Ball described the situation as “unfortunate” but assured that “everybody cool.”
So just blessings. God is great.
Ball said.
Questions on Leaving the Scene and Eyewitness Accounts
As Ball prepared to exit the press conference, a reporter inquired why it seemed he left the crash scene shortly after the accident. Ball replied,
You gotta check in on that.
Video footage obtained by TMZ Sports shows Ball being picked up about ten minutes after the crash, sitting beside his disabled 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 before getting into a Lamborghini, which then drove him away. According to eyewitnesses, Ball did not leave the scene before authorities allowed him to depart.
Focus Returns to Basketball Despite Recent Events
When later asked about how the past 24 hours had gone from the accident to playing again, Ball avoided direct answers once more, stating,
Just alive and blessed for real, God is great, like I said.
Despite the difficult day, Ball managed to contribute 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists over 31 minutes on the court. However, the game itself will not be one he remembers fondly due to the loss.
Hornets Prepare for Upcoming Match Against Cavaliers
Ball and the Charlotte Hornets now shift their attention to their next matchup, set for later that day against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home. After the recent incident and tough defeat, the team will be aiming to recover and build momentum going forward.
