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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – It was the younger brother’s night, Friday, inside the Smoothie King Center – and almost historic as well.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball almost became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the 118-110 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and his brother older Lonzo Ball.
LaMelo, aged 19, 139 days, would have spent Markelle Fultz (19 years, 317 days) to become the youngest to accomplish the feat.
The youngest Ball’s victory against his older brother was even sweeter, considering he helped the Hornets recover from an 18 point disadvantage. His assist to Gordon Hayward with 3:44 towards the end of the game helped give Charlotte a four point advantage.
The performance was reminiscent of Lonzo’s second game of the Los Angeles Lakers’ career, when he also almost became the youngest player to score a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists). On Friday, Lonzo ended with just five points, three assists, two rebounds, a block and a steal.
As Lonzo put it on Thursday, it was the first “real” game the two played against each other – out of some 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 games in their backyard as children.
Since LaMelo left the bench for the Hornets, his first action on the court together on Friday did not happen until he checked in at 6:38 in the first quarter. The two protected each other only for a handful of goods, but the younger brother managed to get the best out of Lonzo a few times, while he wrapped Lonzo in a tray in the middle of the second room and ended the third with a deep 3-pointer with your brother about it.
Before the game, Charlotte coach James Borrego was asked to compare the two, who were the first brothers to be selected from the top three in the NBA draft.
“I think they are leaders out there,” said Borrego. “They have a great view. You can see that they know the game at a high level. I think that’s the common thread, it is that they both understand the game at a high level and their teammates like to play with them. I think this is bigger thing. “
LaMelo also became the second youngest Hornet to record a double-double, with only Michael Kidd-Gilchrist doing so at a younger age.
No matter what the outcome, Friday night’s game was a lifelong dream for the brothers.
“When we were younger, we always talked about it,” said LaMelo on Thursday. “We always knew we were going to the championship. Now the time has finally come. We are both excited.”