Hornets news: LaMelo Ball makes Charlotte history with 34-point outburst

LaMelo Ball continues to make a splash in the Hornets' record books, as he became the youngest player in team history to record a 30-point game.

Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball continues to make a splash in the franchise's record books, as he became the youngest player in team history to record a 30-point game. Melo produced a career-high 34 points against the Utah Jazz on Friday at Spectrum Center.

.@MELOD1P is the youngest Hornets player with a 30-point game in franchise history.

🐝 34 Pts
🐝 14-27 FG
🐝 4-9 3-Pt FG pic.twitter.com/67i1aFuOcx

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 6, 2021

LaMelo Ball's 34 points are the most by a Hornets rookie since Alonzo Mourning in 1993.

He is one of four Hornets rookies with 34 points in a game, joining Mourning (4 times), Larry Johnson (2x) and Rex Chapman (1x). pic.twitter.com/9rytrvOace

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 6, 2021

The 19-year-old youngster joins the ranks of some of the Hornets' most iconic figures for his career night. Alonzo Mourning scored 34 or more during his rookie season four times. Larry Johnson did it twice, while Rex Chapman pulled it off once. Charlotte still has plenty of games to be played in 2020-21 and it looks like Melo will have more chances to add to his incredible feat.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, Melo's record-breaking game went for naught, as they were blitzed by the Jazz, 138-121. The third overall pick of last year's draft shot an impressive 14-for-27 from the field–including 4-of-9 from 3-point territory. He also scattered four rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block in 39 minutes.

The Hornets also enjoyed a 25-point outing from Gordon Hayward and an additional 15 points from Terry Rozier, who just returned from an injury. But their inability to contain Jazz scorers Donovan Mitchell and Bogdan Bogdanovic cost them dearly, as the pair combined for 61 points against Charlotte's poor defense.

Charlotte head coach James Borrego, meanwhile, has been using LaMelo Ball at a higher rate over the team's last few contests. Ball has suited up above 30 minutes for the fifth straight game, and he is surely making the most of that extended floor time.