HOUSTON — LaMelo Ball showcased his potential as a true superstar in Charlotte’s season opener on Wednesday night, after battling persistent ankle injuries for most of the past two seasons.
In his first regular-season appearance since January 26, Ball scored 34 points, handed out 11 assists, and grabbed eight rebounds, leading the Hornets to a narrow 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets.
Ball was instrumental in the victory, nailing four shots from beyond the arc and converting all his ten free-throw attempts.
The Hornets are hopeful that Ball can remain healthy this season, as they seek to break an eight-year playoff absence.
Selected third overall in the 2020 draft, Ball was named Rookie of the Year during his debut season and earned a spot in the All-Star game in his second year. However, relentless ankle issues limited him to just 58 games combined over the past two seasons.
Now that he appears to be past these struggles, first-year head coach Charles Lee expressed his thoughts on what a fully fit Ball brings to the team.
Lee paused with a smile before responding, “He’s like the engine for us. If we have a healthy LaMelo Ball, we’re going to accomplish many great things because I know he will keep improving and help elevate his teammates as well.”
The 23-year-old guard was in high spirits after the game, reflecting on his return to the court after a challenging period.
“It’s a blessing, just doing what we love,” he stated. “We grew up playing basketball, so being able to still pursue this passion for a living is an incredible feeling.”
Lee praised Ball’s commitment to excellence, emphasizing the importance of his trust among teammates and coaches alike.
“He strives to earn the trust of his teammates and coaches, seeks to be a winner, and to influence winning,” Lee noted. “I shared with him what would help us achieve that, and you could see him applying those concepts tonight, both defensively and offensively, making significant plays.”
The Hornets faced a daunting 18-point deficit during the match but rallied in the second half to secure the win. Ball was optimistic about how the team responded to early challenges.
“First game, you want to just come out and set a tone,” he remarked. “So, it was important that we got that first win.”