The Ball brothers' first NBA head-to-head match is off to a fine start after Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball traded buckets at the beginning of the Charlotte Hornets versus New Orleans Pelicans game on Friday at the Smoothie King Center.
The two siblings went right at each other from the get-go, as LaMelo got the ball rolling with a dazzling drive for a left-handed lay-in. The flashy NBA rookie got some oohs and ahhs from his bench after that graceful finish.
Not to be outshined by his younger brother, the elder Ball answered right back on the other end by showing his much improved outside stroke. Lonzo shot a triple in rhythm and buried it over defender Devonte' Graham.
The Ball Bro's trade tough hoops on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UuM2NTA2sR
— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2021
There was certainly some hype entering Friday's match, considering this will be the first time the two brothers face off on the biggest stage. While Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball certainly had their 1-on-1 battles at home growing up, it truly is a proud moment for their outspoken father LaVar to see his two boys competing in the NBA.
Lonzo was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. LaMelo, the youngest of the infamous Ball brood, soon followed suit four years later when the Hornets picked him third overall in the 2020 draft.
Now on his fourth year in the league and second with the Pels, Lonzo averaged 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steal in eight games. LaMelo, on the other hand, is still finding his footing in the pros but is already notching similar numbers of 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals.
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