Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and Chet Holmgren added 25 as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder used a big third quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-96 for their fifth straight win.

A quick look into the reason why Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball won't play against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Charlotte Hornets will miss their top playmaker, LaMelo Ball on Saturday. According to the Hornets’ official injury report announcement, Ball will get the night off. The team is ruling him out due to right ankle injury management.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/hornets/onsi as Charlotte Hornets urged to swap Miles Bridges for former NBA champion.

Hornets head coach Charles Lee explains what led to his decision to bench LaMelo Ball in Friday's overtime loss to the Bucks.

Rookie’s career-high 32 points came in his hometown on night Charlotte’s star point guard returned after missing five games with ankle injury

Bucks outlast Hornets 147-134 in overtime, improve to 2-0 in NBA Cup pool play with a win on Nov. 14. Eight players scored in double figures.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder will face Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets on the road at 6 p.m. Saturday.