LaMelo Ball is having one of the quieter statistical seasons of his career. Through 45 games with the Charlotte Hornets, the 24-year-old point guard is averaging 19.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. These represent his lowest numbers since his rookie year, though the Hornets have quietly built a 10-of-last-11 stretch heading into the All-Star break.
On the court, the drama has been minimal. Off it, LaMelo Ball found a way to make headlines anyway, emerging uninjured from a car accident in downtown Charlotte on Wednesday.
Just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Hornets star was involved in a two-car accident in Uptown Charlotte at the intersection of East Trade and North Tryon Streets.
According to local reports and dashcam footage obtained by WSOC-TV, Ball was driving his custom, camouflage 2022 GMC Hummer EV west on Trade Street when he attempted an unprotected left turn onto Tryon Street. His vehicle collided with a gray Kia sedan traveling east on Trade Street.
The crash was violent enough to rip the front left wheel off Ball’s Hummer. The wreckage blocked the Gold Line streetcar tracks and stalled traffic across Uptown.
LaMelo Ball was involved in a car accident in Uptown Charlotte, per @JoeBrunoWSOC9
Witnesses say Ball exited a Hummer and got into a Lamborghini. MEDIC reported that one person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
(h/t @Fullcourtpass ) pic.twitter.com/PcwdpEziN1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 18, 2026
While the driver of the Kia was treated for minor injuries, reporters and witnesses confirmed Ball was not-injured. He left the scene in a different car shortly after the accident and is expected to play in tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets.
Fans call out LaMelo Ball’s casual attitude in Charlotte collision drama
Online reactions were more tired than shocked after watching the video clip. Most locals weren’t surprised because they’d seen Ball’s driving habits before. A viral 2024 TikTok compilation already showed him blowing through red lights and making dangerous turns right outside the Spectrum Center.
On top of that, Ball and the Hornets are still fighting a May 2024 lawsuit. A mother claims Ball hit her son with his car while the boy was trying to get an autograph after a team event, allegedly breaking the child’s foot before driving away.
So when Wednesday’s crash hit the timeline, many fans reacted with “told you so” comments.
“Bro might be the worst driver in the league,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “He can’t drive bro. He’s 100% at fault.”
A third fan penned, “This was bound to happen. He be driving like SpongeBob.”
The fourth fan remarked, “Probably running red lights again.”
And a random X user joked, “Exited a Hummer and got into a Lamborghini? Bro thinks he’s in GTA.”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the crash. No charges have been filed at this time. Ball has not issued a statement, and neither has the Hornets organization.
