LaMelo Ball overcame an early head-to-head collision with coach Charles Lee to score 24 points, and the surging Charlotte Hornets fought back from a 22-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-95 for their seventh straight win.

Proposed Pelicans trade sees New Orleans finally blow up, deal Zion Williamson for total rebuild package originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans heads into the matchup against Memphis after losing three straight games. The Grizzlies have gone 5-3 against division opponents. Memphis ranks fourth in the Western Conference with 34.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Zach Edey averaging 7.2.

Joel Embiid had 40 points and 11 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers win hours after Paul George was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, 124-114 over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Pelicans rookie Derik Queen is driven by two NBA All-Star moments, including one NBA Rising Stars rival Jeremiah Fears should worry about.

Zion Williamson overpowers center Moussa Diabate in the fourth quarter, but the Pelicans still fall to the Hornets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was injured in the first quarter of Monday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets and briefly taken to the locker room after a head-to-head collision with coach Charles Lee.

This means that the Grizzlies will be extremely short-handed, both at guard and in the frontcourt. Jock Landale will likely get the start at center next to Jaren Jackson Jr., and Cam Spencer will play as many minutes as he can handle as the starting point guard.