One day after his near triple-double, LaMelo Ball finally got his first official triple-double and first NBA record.
Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball became the youngest player in the league to notch a triple-double after sculpting 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in the team's win over the Atlanta Hawks, 113-105.
LaMelo Ball's Triple Double
LaMelo Ball, who was drafted by the Hornets as the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, is only 19 years and 140 days old when he recorded his first triple-double, according to the SportsNet.
The previous record-holder was Orlando Magic's Markelle Fultz, who hooked his first triple-double when he was 19 years and 317 days old.
Before Fultz, LaMelo's brother and former Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball passed LeBron James' triple-double record at 20 and 15 days old. LeBron was also 20 years old as a Cleveland Cavalier sophomore, just five days older than Lonzo.
The younger Ball put on a second-half show as he posted a double-digit lead for the Hornets. The Atlanta Haws could not even dig an answer for a bounce-back. The Hornets were still cruising in a 101-86 spread at the 7:51 mark in the fourth frame.
After that, the rest was history for the Hornets - and LaMelo Ball. The Charlotte Hornets have now won their fourth-straight game for a 5-5 record.
Hornets' Terry Rozier closed the commanding win with 23 markers, the team's highest scorer, followed by P.J Washington and LaMelo with 22 points apiece. Off the bench, Caleb Martin sparked a 15-point production in just 17 minutes.
According to Yahoo Sports, Washington was the torch-bearer of the Hornets in their recent win. He scored 22 markers in 7-of-11 shooting while hoarding seven rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward carved defensive plays despite his undersized stature.
The 22-year-old Washington had six blocks, bragging his 7'3 wingspan, which complemented his disadvantage. More importantly, he became an outlet for LaMelo to pull a historical record on his 10th assists of the game.
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In the first-half, Devonte Graham bannered Buzz City in a close 29-28 start. The Hawks were still punching at both ends, but Graham's seven points edged the visiting team with just one lead.
Another impressive player who rose from the bench was Caleb Martin, who delivered two trifectas in four minutes, as per the SB Nation Hornets community. Martin bombed eight points earlier, as teammate Washington hindered Capela under the rim. The Hornets did not stop burying the visitors with a big lead, with Washington also firing beyond the arc.
In the second frame, the Hornets pedaled a 22-8 run en route to a 59-50 heading to the second half, with Bogdan Bogdanovic exiting before the third quarter.
Starting with only 14.3 percent from the field, the Hornets opened the third frame with a lot of mess. The Hawks came to life and plucked it for a two-point ball game with less than seven minutes remaining.
Cam Reddish led with 22 points in the Hawks' loss while DeAndre Hunter chipped in 21.
Atlanta star Trae Young spiraled down with 11 turnovers in the Hawks' two games against Hornets. Despite his double-double of 15 points and ten assists, Young has not yet made a single triple when facing the Hornets this season. His recent game saw him threw 0-of-5 from the outside.
LaMelo Ball vs Lonzo Ball
A day before recording his triple-double, the second time became a charm for LaMelo. His first match-up against his older brother, Lonzo Ball, slid him in a near triple-double of 12 points, ten rebounds, and nine assists in 15 minutes, the CBS wrote.
Lonzo finished with five markers, three dimes, and two boards in New Orleans Pelicans' 118-110 loss to LaMelo and the Hornets.
"I pretty much just go out there and play. My mom and dad raised a killer, I feel like, so I just let the chips fall where they fall," LaMelo told the reporters in a post-game interview.
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