Friday night marked the headliner match-up for the first NBA encounter between brothers LaMelo Ball and Lonzo Ball. That also marked the 2020 no. 3 overall pick's first nationally-televised game, with LaMelo's Charlotte Hornets taking on Lonzo's New Orleans Pelicans.
With the entire country watching the first NBA showdown between the two Ball brothers, LaMelo didn't seem fazed with the spotlight at all. In fact, the 19-year old admitted he has been used to it ever since he was a kid.
Via Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer:
‘ALL COOL’
This was supposed to be some huge night in Ball’s rookie season: The first nationally-televised game of his NBA career, and matched against his older brother Lonzo, a starter for the Pelicans.
LaMelo vastly outplayed Lonzo, who finished with five points, three assists and two rebounds. Every time someone asked LaMelo about the significance, he wondered what all the fuss was about.
“I’ve been in ESPN games since I was a kid,” said LaMelo, who is 19. “It’s all cool.”
Less than 10 games in, Ball no longer seems like a rookie.
“It’s kind of what we expect now. He’s done this before, he’s not fazed by the moment,” Borrego said.
On the night, LaMelo's Hornets took down Lonzo's Pelicans. The youngest of the Ball brothers also bested the eldest. LaMelo almost notched his first career-triple double, falling an assist short. He finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and nine dimes, while helping Charlotte turn an 18-point deficit into an 8-point win.
LaMelo Ball may have started his NBA career with a 0-point dud in 16 minutes, but the 6-foot-8 guard has certainly proved he is the real deal through the first nine games of his career. Apart from his debut game, Ball is averaging 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while coming off the bench for the Hornets. The kid is unfazed and is among the early front-runners for Rookie of the Year.
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