Hornets' Charles Lee Reacts to LaMelo Ball's Recent Car Accident

Hornets head coach expresses relief that Ball and others were unharmed in the incident.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 5:15am

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Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee discussed LaMelo Ball's recent car accident, expressing relief that Ball and all other parties involved were unharmed. Lee stated that the first priority when hearing about any accident is ensuring everyone's health and safety, and that Ball was able to come in feeling good and ready to play in Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets.

Why it matters

LaMelo Ball is a rising star in the NBA and a key player for the Charlotte Hornets. Any incident that could potentially sideline him or impact his health is significant news for the team and its fans, as Ball's performance is crucial to the Hornets' success this season.

The details

Video footage of the accident showed Ball swerving slightly into oncoming traffic and side-swiping another vehicle in downtown Charlotte. The new video offers a closer look at the impact of the collision, though fortunately no one was reported injured.

  • The car accident occurred earlier this week, prior to the Hornets' Thursday matchup against the Houston Rockets.

The players

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

LaMelo Ball

The starting point guard for the Charlotte Hornets and a rising star in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing when you hear about any type of accident is you hope all parties involved are okay, they're healthy and safe. So, he was able to come in today feeling good, ready to go, and he'll be ready to play tonight.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

Ball is expected to start for the Hornets in Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the risks professional athletes face in their daily lives, but also the relief felt when no one is seriously injured. The Hornets and their fans will be glad to see Ball back on the court, as his health and performance are crucial to the team's success this season.