Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball Uninjured in Downtown Crash

Hornets star point guard involved in two-car collision, no injuries reported.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to a person familiar with the situation, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was not injured after being involved in a two-car crash in downtown Charlotte on Wednesday. The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. as Ball was driving his custom-made Hummer through an intersection, when it collided with another vehicle. Video footage showed Ball exiting his truck and getting into another car before being driven away, while police were on the scene.

Why it matters

Car accidents involving professional athletes in Charlotte have become a concerning trend in recent years, with former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and current backup Andy Dalton both sustaining injuries in similar incidents. The fact that Ball emerged unscathed from this latest crash is a relief for the Hornets and their fans, as the young star continues his breakout season.

The details

Video footage showed Ball's Hummer colliding with another vehicle at an intersection in downtown Charlotte. The left front tire of Ball's truck was missing after the crash, but the other driver appeared calm as he exited his car and approached Ball's vehicle. Police were on the scene investigating the incident.

  • The crash occurred shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The starting point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who is in the midst of a breakout season and is considered one of the NBA's rising young stars.

Cam Newton

Former quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, who fractured his back in a 2014 car accident near Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Andy Dalton

Current backup quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, who was involved in a two-car accident in Charlotte in 2024 and suffered a thumb injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Hornets are scheduled to host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night as teams return from the All-Star break, and there is no indication that Ball's involvement in the crash will affect his availability for the game.

The takeaway

While car accidents involving professional athletes in Charlotte have become a concerning trend, the fact that LaMelo Ball emerged unscathed from this latest incident is a relief for the Hornets and their fans. The young star continues to establish himself as one of the NBA's most promising talents, and his health and availability will be crucial as the Hornets push for a playoff berth.