What’s gotten into LaMelo Ball? Answer could be propelling Hornets’ guard to All-Star nod
In keeping with the usual theme and further underscoring the ironic twist typically surrounding the Charlotte Hornets, a simple glance at the row directly behind the home team’s bench provided the appropriate context.
Rather than taking his customary position in the starting lineup, Brandon Miller instead spent most of Monday afternoon plopped down next to two huge containers of Gatorade, sporting a burgundy sweatsuit and not a purple uniform. This was supposed to be Miller’s latest time to shine, given his likeness was immortalized in a bobblehead handed out to the thousands of fans cramming into Spectrum Center for the Martin Luther King Day matinee.
But the Hornets’ rising young star is powerless, unable to play due to a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist that’s sidelining him indefinitely and forced him into spectator status during Charlotte’s 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
“I think mentally he’s a very strong kid, a very confident kid,” coach Charles Lee said. “We talked about (how) this is just going to make his story even sweeter. Everybody’s got a little bit of a different journey that they have to go on to get to that mountaintop, and for him this is one of those moments.
“And I know that he’s going to attack it with the right mindset. He’s had high spirits, he’s been around the team. He hit a big left-handed free throw at the end of practice (Sunday) to send us home. So, he’s going to do everything he possibly can with his rehab and also just staying connected and engaged with the team as well.”
While Miller is on the shelf, the spotlight glare on his backcourt mate becomes even brighter. And it’s not like LaMelo Ball can’t handle it. Nothing fazed the Hornets’ star point guard.
Starting off what could be a big week, Ball put on a show against the Mavericks, flirting with a triple-double seemingly as always. In posting 23 points to go with nine assists and seven rebounds, Ball nearly did it all against Dallas, keying the Hornets’ third straight win and fourth victory in their past five games.
He ignited the offense when things were stagnant early, netting 20 points on the strength of five 3-pointers, marking the seventh time in his career he’s racked up those specific numbers in a half. Only Terry Rozier (12) and Kemba Walker (10) have registered more such halves for the Hornets since at least 1996-97.
“I’m really just trying to lock in,” Ball said, “and do whatever it takes to win pretty much.”
In a variety of ways.
Consider: Through Sunday Ball was just one of seven players averaging 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. He leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring, and the 29.5 points he’s tossing in per game ranks fourth. He’s also nailed a 3-pointer in 47 straight games, the second-longest streak of his career.
Better yet, the net rating improves by 10.5 points for the Hornets (11-28) with him on the court, putting him in the 91st percentile in the league. The Hornets’ offensive rating also increased by 12.2 points (99th percentile) and their turnover rate dips by 2.7%.
The growing level of maturity in Ball’s game is noticeable.
“Just his patience,” Miles Bridges said. “You know how Melo is shooting the ball sometimes. But he’s been doing a great job leading this offense, getting good shots for everybody, getting good shots for himself, getting to the free throw line, making the game easier for him. And I feel like it’s helped the team out more, too.”
As has Ball digging in more on the opposite end of the court.
“He’s definitely stepped up defensively, wanting to play defense,” Bridges said. “It was Melo’s mindset the whole year. As long as continues to want to play defense, he’s going to be good at it. He’s 6-7, long arms. But he’s good.”
That not-so-subtle change in Ball’s attitude is being well-received, especially by Lee. One of the main tasks on Lee’s agenda when he got hired in the summer was to get more out of Ball, expanding his reach on the action.
Although there’s still plenty of room for improvement, he’s showing progress as evidenced by his impact over the last few weeks, including against the Mavs.
“His two-way play has really helped us,” Lee said. “We’ve made an effort to play with more pace offensively. I think the whole squad has really bought into that and he’s really the head of the snake when it comes to pace, and his attack and willingness to either go finish in the attack or collapse the defense and kick out for some early opportunities.
“And then defensively, he’s denying (Kyrie) Irving at the end of the game, being more physical. I feel like in our transition defense, we are having a lot more communication and urgency to get back. So, just really impressed with his two-way game and not trying to be offensively focused.”
Still, offense is where Ball flourishes most, and it’s why he pledged charitable efforts on the strength of his production on that end of the court. He’s already hit the 200,000 meals donated mark for his ambassadorship with the Humane Society’s More Than A Pet Campaign.
For every point Ball scores this season, the society is donating 250 meals to pets in historically-marginalized communities around the country through its programs that increase access to care. He’s up to 819 points through 39 games.
“He’s a one-man break, puts a lot of pressure on you,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “But his range is in the Steph (Curry) and Dame (Damian Lillard) category, because once he gets over halfcourt he can shoot it. And a lot of those shots have gone in. So, (you) have to be aware of him, and pick him up, also understand his ability to pass. He’s an unselfish player where he will find the open guy and he can hurt you that way, too.
“I think just his range has come a lot farther, his ability to score in a hurry. He’s always been a willing passer, but I think he’s also attacking the rim at a high clip here. And so being able to finish is something that he’s doing right now. But I think just being consistent and being healthy. (It’s) being healthy, but the skillset is there for him now being healthy and being consistent he’s now taking his game to another level.”
And that leap could have Ball doing his flashy thing in San Francisco in February. Following three rounds of fan votes, he’s atop the list of Eastern Conference guards and has a good chance to make the All-Star team for the second time, breaking a three-year drought. Voting concluded on Monday and starters for both conferences will be announced Thursday while reserves are unveiled on Jan. 30.
Even the 23-year-old couldn’t downplay the potential significance.
“It’s good for my family, my moms and pops,” Ball said. “I feel like they can just look at that and take it for their life, be proud. I am too. But it’d be cool.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM.
