While sitting at 13-24, the Charlotte Hornets will head into a matchup against a struggling Indiana Pacers team that hasn't won a game since Dec. 12.
Charlotte will look to extend the Pacers' 13-game losing streak on Thursday.
However, for the matchup, the Hornets are making a lineup change that seems very surprising to fans.
LaMelo Ball to come off the bench for the first time since 2020
The starting lineup for the Hornets was released just a few minutes before tipoff. It includes Colin Sexton, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabete.
Even though LaMelo Ball is active, the 24-year-old will be coming off the bench for the first time since Jan. 30 of 2020. That was during his rookie season.
It's an interesting new look for head coach Charles Lee, but the idea must have stemmed from Ball's inconsistent start to the new year.
So far through four games in January, Ball is shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three.
Coach Lee will most likely explain his intent behind the move later on, but after seeing Trae Young get traded to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, it doesn't help but stir the pot on trade talks.
Earlier this season, there were rumors that Ball said he was open to a trade from the team. He would later shoot down these talks with a post on social media. With the Hornets benching him, who knows what may happen with him before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5.
More Hornets news:
Hornets linked to former NBA Champion ahead of trade deadline
Hornets did something no other team has done to SGA this season
- Hornets' Kon Knueppel makes basketball history by breaking Steph Curry's NBA rookie record