Is eight enough? Hornets’ losing streak keeps climbing as LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller sit out
So much for another long-awaited installment of the Brothers Ball.
Injuries to Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball and his older brother, Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls, have continuously sabotaged their highly anticipated matchups, robbing spectators of the opportunity to witness a backyard rivalry manifest itself at the pro level.
Monday night wasn’t any different.
With Ball sidelined for the third straight game due to a combination of left ankle and right wrist soreness, joining Brandon Miller on the bench in street clothes, he was powerless during the Hornets’ 111-108 overtime loss at Spectrum Center. Now, the magic number still sits at three — as in the amount of occasions the Ball brothers have been healthy enough to lock horns.
“I think they are too nice to each other,” Miles Bridges said. “I think they don’t like playing against each other. But nah, you want to see them play against each other. They are both very talented and they grew up together. So, you would love those types of matchups.
“Hopefully the next time we play against the Bulls, they’ll be able to play against each other.”
That would take place in 18 days, specifically on Jan. 17 at the United Center in Chicago during what’s scheduled to be the Hornets’ lone national television appearance of the 2024-25 campaign.
Here’s another notable digit: eight.
That’s the amount of games the Hornets (7-25) have lost in a row, a stretch that’s seen them win just once in 17 tries dating back to Nov. 23.
“We have been playing way more competitive since that Rockets game (on Dec. 23),” Bridges said. “We competed with the No. 1 team in the NBA (Oklahoma City) and then against the Bulls, who beat us by 20 last time we played, we pushed it down to the wire.
“We have played better. We just have to continue to compete and give ourselves a chance.”
Still, there were things to like from the Hornets’ perspective, a change from the recent norm. Bridges netted easily his best game of the season, pumping in 31 points — including a wild, game-tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime — to go with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Minus Ball and Miller, Seth Curry recorded a turn-back-the-clock performance, fueling the Hornets in multiple areas. He ignited things by pouring in Charlotte’s initial 12 points, pumping in a season-best 17 points and filling in adequately at starting shooting guard.
Those half dozen game-opening points were the second-most in franchise history since at least 1997-98, when Bobby Phills connected on the first 13 during the Hornets’ contest in New Jersey against the Nets on March 8, 1998. He brought that much juice early on.
“As soon as he’s on the court, he gives you more gravity,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “So, it opens up driving lanes for a lot of our guys. And then offensively, too, just having the ability to run some off-ball actions for him, kind of get a catch and come back, re-screen and pick-and-roll. He finds a way to somehow get a mid-range two off. Sometimes I’m sitting there like, ‘Wow.
“He has just a knack for scoring, which really helps us. I think defensively, he’s pretty heady, understands positioning and where he should be, understands other teams’ sets. His communication with our team, I think he’s had some intentional conversations with guys throughout the game, too. We’re feeling his impact in a lot of ways.”
Almost like a pseudo-coach, taking heed to Lee’s mantra of late.
“It was an emphasis from the last few games, just getting off to better starts,” Curry said. “Coach Lee kept bringing it up to us — before the game, film sessions, practice days. It added emphasis to start off better and I was just trying to be aggressive and play within the opportunities. Everybody was playing with pace, getting stops, getting good shots. So, I was just trying to knock them down.”
In addition to Curry’s production and Bridges’ offensive outburst, Mark Williams had another smooth double-double, tossing in 20 points and snatching 12 rebounds. He definitely looks more like himself with 10 games under his belt.
“I even told him after the game I thought this was one of his more complete games with his activity, his effort on both sides of the floor,” Lee said. “It was nice to be able to move him around and guard different guys today, be in different coverages — switched a little with him, had him up in the pick-and-roll, had him back in the pick-and-roll, had him coming to help. I thought he blocked some shots.
“I think he’s starting to kick some of the rust and find a rhythm and a groove and understand what we expect from him. Offensively, you’re continuing to see the level of trust that our ball-handlers have with him. As he’s rolling, he makes great decisions for himself and for his teammates. Offensive rebounding is another impact he’s had. So, I’m really proud of him for putting together one of his most complete games since he’s been back.”
Now, if only the Hornets could have everyone clicking like Williams. At the same time.
“That first quarter, we set the tone — we just didn’t stand on it,” Bridges said. “I felt like if we would have played like that the rest of the game, we would have won the game easily. And it’s like a recurring thing for us. We’ve just got to play a full four quarters.”
What’s going on with LaMelo and Brandon Miller?
Is there reason to sound the alarm bells because LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller (left ankle) each missed their third straight game while Cody Martin (left knee soreness) was unavailable for the second consecutive outing?
Not really, judging by Lee’s tone when asked about the status of the trio. Sounds like there’s a possibility for a return later this week when the Hornets hit the road for a mini two-game trip to Detroit and Cleveland.
“My feel on the situation is no practice (Sunday), a lot of treatment, a lot of get-what-you-need type of day, recovery day,” Lee said. “This morning, we had a shootaround and a lot of those guys didn’t participate in a major part of shootaround.
“They obviously have a couple days between now and Detroit and we’ll kind of see where they are. I guess you feel where my sentiment is and where I’m leaning, but we’ll see in these next couple hours.”
Sixth Mann getting better
The bad news first: It’s going to be at least two more weeks before the Hornets have added reinforcements in the reserve guard department.
Now for the positive development: Tre Mann’s back issues appear to be subsiding.
Mann is continuing his rehabilitation for disc irritation and has ramped up the intensity of his on court work and individual workouts, the Hornets announced. Although Mann will be re-evaluated again in 14 days, things are heading in the right direction for the 23-year-old, who’s missed the past 17 games, leaving a huge void with the absence of the 14.1 points he’s pouring in during his fourth season..
“I think the update was positive and he’s trending in a really good direction,” Lee said. “I would just reiterate that his spirits are in a good place. Watching some of his court workouts personally and also just being sent some of the videos from his workouts, he’s got a little bit more of that Tre Mann bop to him, and feel and ability to change pace.
“He’s increasing his court work, which is great, and seeing less side effects the next day after a court workout. So, I think that is a good sign that he’s trending in a positive direction.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 11:17 PM.
