LaMelo Ball’s return spurs Charlotte Hornets to one-point win over San Antonio
Editor’s note: This story was posted after the Hornets and Lakers finalized and announced their trade, but before the Lakers subsequently rescinded the trade due to problems with a player’s physical exam.
With the NBA trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Charlotte Hornets could collectively exhale somewhat Friday night, understanding the annual February madness was over.
Dalton Knecht and Jusuf Nurkic are Hornets now, brought on board in separate deals with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Neither played in the Hornets’ spirited 117-116 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, due to medicals and physicals still being taken care of barely 24 hours after the deadline passed.
But everyone seems ready for the journey to begin after saying goodbye to Mark Williams, Cody Martin, and Vasa Micić, and hello to the new guys, including Elfrid Payton, who was signed to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception granted by the NBA, league sources told The Observer.
“I think Jeff and the front office did a great job of executing some deals around the trade deadline that are going to help our team I think in the short term and the long term,” coach Charles Lee said. “Some tough phone calls to make, though. We’re grateful for the things Mark and Cody and Vasa were able to give to our organization and to our team.
“We’re excited about the new bodies that we’re going to get. I think Nurk, and Cam (Reddish) and Dalton and Elfrid are going to help our team in a lot of different ways. So, I’m looking forward to it. It was a crazy time, and now we’re looking forward to moving forward and just helping this team be as good as they possibly can be going into the break.”
Having their star point guard healthy again certainly won’t hurt.
Following a five-game absence after spraining his left ankle against the Lakers on Jan. 27, LaMelo Ball returned to action and left his imprint on things as usual, tossing in 24 points to go with 10 assists and four rebounds. He’s the team’s engine, nailing a 3-pointer for the 51st straight game, and still leads the NBA in fourth-quarter points (8.7) and field goals (3).
His numbers could actually improve with the addition of Knecht, a knock down, spot up shooter who tossed in a career-best 37 points earlier this season, and he welcomed the new crew to the team immediately after the deals were struck.
“I sent them some messages to get to meet them and everything,” Ball said. “So, yeah, just happy to play with them and everything. It should be fun.”
Reincorporating Ball and gathering some cohesion and building chemistry with the likes of Knecht and Nurkic over the next few weeks as the Hornets embark on an eight-game road trip beginning in Detroit on Sunday is at the forefront of the team’s on-court agenda.
“It’s very important,” Lee said. “It’s important for him to get back to competing on both ends of the floor, and it’s important for the team to get used to having him back out there, because he does add a different element for us offensively.
“I think he helps increase our pace with his creativity offensively. And defensively, having him in a lot of different positions and different coverages and stuff.”
Which should assist in opening things up for others, like it did for Miles Bridges on his game-winning 3-pointer against the Spurs. Ball’s skill set will also help set up shots for Knecht, which will better spread the floor for everyone.
“He’s been playing in the bright lights for half a season,” Bridges said. “So, he’s going to be accustomed to playing with us really well because he’s used to being on TV everyday. But I think he’s going to be good for us, though.
“His shooting, he’s a dynamic shooter. He hasn’t been shooting it well lately, but he can shoot the ball really well and that’s what we need as a team.”
Nurkic is here to eat up some of the center minutes vacated by Williams’ departure, brought on board along with a 2026 first-round pick from Phoenix in exchange for Martin, Micić and a 2026 second-round selection.
“Just another guy that understands the game,” Lee said. “I think that he’s going to be really good in understanding player tendencies on defense. Also just bringing a physicality and edge that we need and he will continue to help us on the defensive glass, be really tight in that area.
“And then offensively, I think he’s added a little bit of shooting to his game over the last couple of years, so that will be a nice added bonus to our offense. But he does such a great job just with his screens in general. And l think he’s going to get Melo open, Nick (Smith Jr.), Miles and down the line for our guards. So, I look forward to him joining the group.”
Lee isn’t the only one eager for their on-court arrival.
“Met them, seem like great guys,” Ball said. “So, just happy to play alongside with them and keep on trying to get wins.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM.
