Charlotte will be without its top playmaker as it visits the New Orleans Pelicans tonight ( 8 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass ).

The Hornets announced Tuesday that guard LaMelo Ball will miss the game due to right ankle impingement. Ball missed the Hornets’ last game, a 126-103 win against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, because of the same injury.

Ball has not played since a Nov. 1 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game while shooting 43% overall and 33.3% on 3-pointers.

The Hornets visit the Miami Heat on Friday and then will play six of their next 10 games at home.

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