Charlotte Hornets' star LaMelo Ball is probable for tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks after a five-game absence due to an ankle injury. His return is crucial for the struggling Hornets, who have lacked offensive rhythm and consistency without their primary playmaker.

LaMelo Ball will not lace up his sneakers to play in the Charlotte Hornets vs LA Lakers game on Monday. Ball is on the sidelines for the fourth straight game due to a right ankle impingement.

This season, Charlotte sits 14th in offensive rating. In the last four games without Ball, they have slid to 19th. The Hornets are used to missing Ball, and the offensive rating has struggled over the years without his shot creation for himself and for his teammates.

The third-year swingman hasn't played since suffering a left shoulder subluxation injury on Oct. 25. What about LaMelo Ball?

Per Cleaning the Glass, Toronto sports the fifth best net rating in the NBA. Led by a physical defense that forces turnovers at a top ten rate in the league, the Raptors love to get out and run, sporting the number one transition frequency in basketball.