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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – It was Friday night for Little Brother at the Smoothie King Center – and almost a historic night too.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball nearly became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, as he posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in a 118-110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and big brother Lonzo Ball.
At 19 years, 139 days, LaMelo would have passed Markelle Fultz (19 years, 317 days) to become the youngest ever to accomplish this feat.
The win for the youngest Ball against his big brother was even more fun as he helped the Hornets come back from 18 points behind to do so. His assist from Gordon Hayward with 3:44 play helped Charlotte get a four-point kiss.
The performance was reminiscent of Lonzo’s second career game for the Los Angeles Lakers, when he also became almost the youngest player to hit a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists). On Friday, Lonzo finished with just five points, three assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal.
As Lonzo put it Thursday, it was the first “real” game the two had ever played against each other – outside of some 2v2 or 3v3 games in the backyard of their house while kids.
With LaMelo coming off the bench for the Hornets, their first action on court together didn’t come together until Friday when he checked in at 6:38 a.m. The two only guarded each other for a handful of belongings, but baby brother did manage to get the best of Lonzo a few times as he wrapped around Lonzo for a lay-up midway through the second quarter and finished third with a deep 3-pointer with his brother on him.
Ahead of the game, Charlotte coach James Borrego was asked to compare the two, who were the first brothers to each be selected in the top 3 of the NBA draft.
“I think they are leaders,” said Borrego. “They have a great vision. You can see that they know the game at a high level. I think that’s the common thread: they both understand the game at a high level and their teammates like to play with them. common thread is. greatest thing. “
LaMelo also became the second youngest Hornet to record a double-double, only Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did it at a younger age.
Regardless of the outcome, Friday night’s match was a realization of a lifelong dream for the siblings.
“When we were younger, we always talked about it,” LaMelo said Thursday. “We always knew we were going to the competition. Now the time has finally come. We’re both excited.”