Charles Barkley is never one to bite his tongue and on Thursday night, he called out Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball for having a “triple-single” game.

Obviously, Chuck is poking fun at the second-year Lakers guard after posting a stat line of two points, eight rebounds and four assists in their recent win over the Indiana Pacers.

Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson asked the crew if there were any nuggets from the Lakers' eight-point victory and Barkley quickly chimed in.

Article Continues Below
Related News
Lakers' Rob Pelinka with a Lakers logo in the middle Mavs Center Daniel Gafford on one side, Nets center Nic Claxton on the other. Question marks around them.
Sources: ‘Extremely active’ Lakers looking to add multiple bigs on trade marketAnthony Irwin ·
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) being defended by Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller (52) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the United Center.
Former Laker Shaq, Brad Miller recreate brawl photo 23 years laterZachary Howell ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with his coach during a stoppage in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers rumors: LeBron James’ ‘likely’ $52.6 million contract decisionPreston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ agent fires shot at fans’ trade proposalsJoey Mistretta ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with a referee in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers’ LeBron James questions camera work in Game 4 vs. TimberwolvesRichard Pereira ·
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) walks downcourt during the third quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
NBA rumors: Lakers, Warriors named ‘clear fits’ for ‘unlikely’ Pacers tradeZachary Weinberger ·

“Yeah, Lonzo. Lonzo Ball had a triple-single. He had two points he didn't play,” Charles Barkley said.

Barkley isn't holding back and his criticism of Ball had Shaquille O'Neal falling out of his seat from laughter. Ball played through an ankle injury that has been bothering him, but Barkley wasn't buying that excuse. He still clowned on the 21-year-old playmaker for putting up a pedestrian stat line.

Ball's numbers are down this season. Part of that has to do with his own struggles, though it's mainly because of his reduced role on the team. His minutes are down and he's not playing with the ball in his hands as much as he did during his rookie season.

Lonzo was shooting the ball with excellent efficiency at the beginning of the year, but his shot has not been falling of late. It's easy to forget, however, that Ball is still young and is still adapting to the toughest position in the NBA. Of course, Barkley's criticism is as valid as it is funny, but it's important to give Ball time to develop before we completely overlook him.