LaMelo Ball returned home to Los Angeles for the first time as an NBA star on Thursday night for his matchup against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. As expected, the Charlotte Hornets guard did not disappoint, finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. However, LeBron James put up a game-high 37 points as the Lakers pulled out a 116-105 victory to send the Hornets back to .500 and a 20-20 record.
Ball had said earlier in the week that “this is just another game on the schedule,” but he looked extra motivated to perform well back at home.
“He looked excited to play tonight, you could feel it,” Hornets head coach James Borrego said. “Even though there were not fans in there, I think he felt a spirit out there.”
Even though the Hornets lost and Ball sat out a good chunk of the fourth quarter, it is safe to assume the rookie did enjoy being down the road from Chino Hills.
Ball's basketball career has been at center stage since he was a high school freshman. At age 14, he won the California state title alongside his two older brothers, Lonzo and LiAngelo. Sure, he left the state to grow his game overseas, but he became a star in Cali way before he even touched an NBA floor. He was a huge part of the Facebook show “Ball in the Family” that followed his personal and basketball life closely, so we never missed a single moment of his development.
However, it is a shame that fans are still not allowed at Staples Center, because seeing LaVar on the sidelines would have added another awesome storyline to follow. For LaMelo Ball, though, not having fans is just a regular day at the office.
“No one has fans now, so everything feels really normal to be honest,” Ball said. “I do not know what's really going on honestly.”
The irony in that statement is that Ball used to be a fan at Staples Center while watching his older brother, Lonzo, don a purple and gold jersey for a couple of seasons. Getting the opportunity to play on the court in an official NBA game had to have been a dream come true for Ball, though the outcome certainly wasn't ideal.
“It felt good to play here, but not too good because we didn't win,” LaMelo Ball added after the game.
Ball had a rough start to the game, but he really found a groove in the third quarter to cut the Lakers' lead down to five before heading into the fourth. Some foul trouble early in the fourth quarter put Ball on the bench, and he didn't return until the final minute or so when the game was already in hand.
It is unfortunate that LaMelo and the Hornets could not find a way to win his first NBA game back in Cali, but at least he was able to have a great game against LeBron and the defending champs. James and Ball embraced one another after the game, showing that mutual respect to one another despite LaMelo admitting that he did not watch a ton of basketball growing up and that James was not his favorite player growing up. At the end of the day, game recognizes game, and both of them certainly did that.
LaMelo Ball will look to split his first two games in Los Angeles, as the Hornets prepare to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
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