Throughout the preseason, Hornets' LaMelo Ball appears to be playing pain free basketball and showing his All-Star prowess again.

Ball has played a total of 58 games ever since, as ankle injuries ended each of his past two seasons. His five-year, $204 million maximum contract begins this season, Year 5 of his career. When he was on the court, only Luka Dončić had a higher usage rate. Ball did not take care of the ball or shoot it efficiently.

Last season: 21-61, missed playoff for eight straight season COACH: Charles Lee (first-time NBA head coach, hired May 9). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at Houston. DEPARTURES: F Davis Bertans, F Aleksej Pokusevski,

The Charlotte Hornets return to preseason action tonight inside Madison Square Garden for a rematch with the New York Knicks who they fell to in the opener in t