LaMelo Ball is absurdly talented. Until he continues playing on a team that is anything but bad – let alone leading it – we will have endless debates about whether he is a real, substantial winner Player. But his talent is undisputed. It can be, and often is, breathtaking.
There's absolutely nothing Ball can't do with the basketball in his hands, and on Saturday night he did something he's never done in an NBA game, scoring 50 points in a 119-112 loss to the USA scored dollar. Ball needed 38 shots, including 17 3-point attempts, in 40 minutes to reach the half-century mark, but hey, a 50 is a 50.
Ball had just 10 points and one halftime break before exploding with 22 points in the third quarter and 18 points in the fourth as he tried to pile up the points Hornets back. With 42 seconds left in the game, he brought them within five points with his last basket, and Charlotte even cut the deficit to two points Brandon Miller He hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left (Miller was fantastic again with 32 points and 11 rebounds), but the Bucks were able to close out the win at the free throw line.
A few notes on Ball's big night:
- Ball and Miller are now the second-youngest duo to each score at least 30 points in consecutive games. Only Kevin Durant And Russell Westbrook I did it at a younger overall age.
- Ball joins in Kemba Walker There have only been two players in Hornets history with a 50-point game, although both of Walker's efforts ended in games that went into overtime.
But here's the most shocking number of all: Ball's previous career high was 38 points. That's a stunningly low number for a prolific scorer like Ball, who seems to have had so many big games. When my editor submitted the note, I had to triple check it to make sure. It's true. Until Saturday, Ball had never scored more than 38 points in an NBA game. Boys score 38 in their sleep these days.
The first time Ball scored 38 points was in February 2022 in a loss at Boston, and the second time was less than two weeks ago in an overtime loss at Philadelphia. Ball is doing absolutely well this season, averaging 30.2 points per game, the highest of any guard and behind only Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis for the lead in the overall league standings. He also leads the league with 73 3-point shots made.
Now he has a 50-point game to add to his list of accolades.
