Charlotte Hornets Star LaMelo Ball Crashes Custom Hummer in Uptown

Ball exited the driver's seat after the collision, and one other person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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NBA star LaMelo Ball was involved in a car crash in Uptown Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon when his custom 2022 GMC Hummer EV collided with another vehicle while attempting to turn left at an intersection. Ball exited the driver's seat of the Hummer, which lost its front left tire and became stuck on the street. One other person suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

Why it matters

LaMelo Ball is a rising star for the Charlotte Hornets, and this incident raises questions about his well-being and availability for the team as they push for a playoff spot. Car crashes involving high-profile athletes also tend to draw significant public attention.

The details

Video footage showed the moment the crash occurred, with Ball's Hummer, which had a brown camouflage wrap, colliding with the front left side of another vehicle as it attempted to turn left. After the crash, witnesses saw Ball exit the Hummer and get into a Lamborghini. The other driver was able to walk away from the scene.

  • The crash occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Uptown Charlotte.

The players

LaMelo Ball

A star player for the Charlotte Hornets who was involved in the car crash.

Charlotte Hornets

The NBA team that LaMelo Ball plays for.

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What they’re saying

“LaMelo Ball will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes two minor procedures to address ankle and wrist issues, sources tell ESPN. Ball showed toughness, playing through pain in recent weeks, before he and team consulted doctors on best course forward.”

— Shams Charania, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Charlotte Hornets have not yet provided an update on LaMelo Ball's condition or availability following the crash.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the risks professional athletes face in their daily lives, even outside of competition. The Hornets and their fans will be closely monitoring Ball's recovery and hoping he can return to the court soon to help the team make a playoff push.