LaMelo Ball thrills fans with nutmeg against the Grizzlies
The Charlotte Hornets they have the potential to be one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA this season regardless of how many games they win. The Hornets’ preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday was filled with highlight reel plays, including LaMelo Ball lobs for Miles Bridges on the break. LaMelo Ball also had a nutmeg sequence later in the game which got the fans out of their seats.
The nutmeg came in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ preseason game against the Grizzlies, as LaMelo Ball fed himself the ball through the legs of Joc Landale and, again without a single dribble, threw another lob, this time to Brandon Miller, for a dunk.
Ball proved to be one of the most gifted passers and playmakers in the NBA, and his two highlights from the Hornets’ preseason game on Wednesday are further proof of that. Ball is one of the best point guards in the NBA, the only thing he has had going for him over the last few seasons is staying healthy.
Last year, Ball was limited to just 47 games, after playing just 22 and 36 over the previous two seasons. He averaged 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 40.5 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from the three-point line and 84.3 percent from the free throw line.
The 2021-22 Rookie of the Year, Ball was a borderline All-Star talent and likely would have made more than one appearance had he been able to stay healthy.
The Hornets will need Ball healthy if they hope to end their streak of consecutive seasons without the playoffs. The Hornets last made the postseason in 2015-16 when they were eliminated in the first round. The Hornets did post a winning record in 2021-22, Ball’s All-Star season, but did not qualify for the playoffs.
David Iapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, covering men’s and women’s NBA, WNBA and NCAA basketball news. The Los Angeles native has op-eds with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Next Hoops.
2025-10-16 02:25:00
