LaMelo Ball, in turn, is used as the “sixth man”
Excitement in the Spectrum Center after five minutes of play. LaMelo Ball has just entered the game against the Pacers. For the first time since his rookie season in 2020, the Hornets point guard came off the bench.
As did the Spurs with Victor Vembanyama or Pelicans with Zion WilliamsonThe Hornets try this experiment for certain matchups, especially back-to-back ones. The strategy is to spare his ankles and let him play the fourth quarter.
« We talked about it with the coaches, we had conversations, meetings and we went from there », reports the 24-year-old, not wanting to cause a stirwhose team played the day before against Toronto. Against the Raptors, he spent more than 8 good minutes, in the fourth quarter, on the bench.
In 25 minutes as a starter, he settled for 15 points on only 7/20 shooting, including 1/7 from distance, with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Substitution last night, played 2 more minutes and found skill, based on high volume of shots.
His best release since early December
He even recorded his highest score since the beginning of December with 33 points (12/24 including 7/15 three-pointers), 8 assists and 3 steals, along with +19 points when he was in the game. It should be remembered that in his previous four outings, LaMelo Ball averaged just 15 points on 40% shooting.
« He was very explosive tonight, with a lot of energy, he gave us a big boost off the bench », salutes Charles Leehighlighting ” his openness to agreeing to come off the bench and help the team (which) shows a new aspect of his leadership and altruism ».
Unfortunately for him and the Hornets, this pick didn’t pay off in accounting terms, as the Pacers snapped their losing streak in Charlotte. A minute from the end of the game, the home team, who were leading by three points, had a good chance on the counter. LaMelo Ball then tried to send Moussa Diabate on the street-oop. A bold bet that won’t work.
Behind, the Pacers rose. ” I didn’t start the match, which allowed me to finish the match. I take full responsibility (for the defeat): I am to blame. On the last lob, I was able to dribble, and there were some stupid possessions before that », admits LaMelo Ball, guilty of several careless mistakes in the finals.
On the last possession, he tried to fix and found Colin Sexton for the last shot, which he missed. “ On the last pass, I should have shot instead of putting Bull in this delicate position. »
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=UrVnJ0FBCFI
| LaMelo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 51 | 28:48 | 43.6 | 35.2 | 75.8 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 15.7 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 75 | 32:18 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 36 | 35:13 | 41.1 | 37.6 | 83.6 | 1.2 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 23.3 |
| 2023-24 | CHA | 22 | 32:19 | 43.3 | 35.5 | 86.5 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 8.0 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 3.8 | 0.2 | 23.9 |
| 2024-25 | CHA | 47 | 32:01 | 40.5 | 33.9 | 84.3 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 7.4 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 25.2 |
| 2025-26 | CHA | 27 | 27:58 | 40.8 | 36.4 | 87.2 | 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 19.5 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-09 08:17:00
