Bucks, Hornets Finalize Decisions on Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball for Wednesday Game

Dec 1, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have made a final decision on the health of nine-time All-NBA superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of a tilt Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets.

More news: Bucks Signing Free Agent Two-Time All-Star to G League Team

Per Eric Nehm, Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of the contest as the two-time league MVP continues to grapple with a left knee patellar tendinopathy. Charlotte made the same call on one-time All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball yesterday.

The two biggest stars will be out in Charlotte tonight.

The Bucks have announced Giannis Antetokounmpo will be out tonight. The Hornets announced LaMelo Ball was going to miss tonight's game yesterday. https://t.co/jZd8td2QQM

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 12, 2025

Ball will miss his fifth straight game with a right ankle impingement on Wednesday night, but appears to be making gradually progress. Charlotte's public relations team announced recently that it had sent the 6-foot-7 guard down to its G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, to put in some practice reps.

According to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer, Hornets head coach Charles Lee is bullish that the oft-hurt Ball will be back on the hardwood sooner rather than later.

Asked Charles Lee about LaMelo's health and if there's any concern since surgery was supposed to help correct ankle issues.

He said they have a plan on place and LaMelo is "excited" about it. Followed up by asking if it's more discomfort or pain.

Full answer: pic.twitter.com/U7y6c2idmu

— Rod Boone (@rodboone) November 10, 2025

"I'm actually excited about the progress he's been making," Lee said. "Every day I feel like he's feeling a little bit better, able to do more on the court. And so I think our training camp have sat down and pretty much actually laid out a plan. Melo's excited about it, I'm excited about it, our organization's excited about it."

It's encouraging to hear that Ball could be on the mend soon. He's one of the most dynamic backcourt scorers and passers in the league today.

'The Movement Gets Better and Better Every Day'

"I will just say that he's continuing to strengthen and work on things so that he's able to play as many games as possible," Lee said of Ball's current health status. "And I think that the movement gets better and better every day, and so that's where I would classify it."

More news: Critical Bucks Forward To Miss 'Significant Amount of Time' with New Injury

The 24-year-old Ball, who has only played more than 51 games once in his five completed NBA seasons to date, had been averaging a robust 23.3 points on .430/.333/.815 shooting splits, 9.8 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 swipes per.

Milwaukee likely is betting the team can win against this depleted Charlotte club with or without Antetokounmpo. Through his 10 healthy games for the 7-4 Bucks, the 30-year-old superstar has been averaging 33.4 points on .629/.500/.630 shooting splits, 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.9 steals.

For more news and notes on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.