LaMelo Ball’s Big Night Goes in Vain Yet Again – 3 Takeaways as Knicks’ Domination Pushes Hornets Into Turmoil

The Charlotte Hornets are having a disappointingly abysmal season so far. With the twelve games they have played, Charlotte has won just three. The team is being single-handedly carried by the 22-year-old LaMelo Ball. The point guard has been giving his all, putting up the highest scores for the team this season. Despite this being just his third year in the league, Ball has shown impressive skills to take the lead from the front.

On Saturday night, the Hornets faced the New York Knicks and lost after putting up just 108 points against the Knicks’ 122. It was New York’s eight win placing them in the seventh position in the Eastern Conference table. Charlotte now occupies the thirteenth position, just two spots above the last. There were impressive plays from both teams and here are our three takeaways from the match.

1. LaMelo continues his All-Star level performance with little help

In Saturday’s match, LaMelo Ball scored 34 points with five rebounds and nine assists. He was the highest scorer of the team followed by Jalen Brunson of the Knicks. So far this season, Ball is averaging 23.5 points with 5.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 42.0% from the field. If he continues this performance, his selection into the All-Star teams is assured. But the same cannot be said for his teammates.

The next best for the Hornets is Terry Rozier who has been on the sidelines due to a groin injury. In the five games that the shooting guard has played this season, he has an average of 22.0 points with four rebounds and five assists. If he can return to the court in time, he will be able to stack more points and give Charlotte the win they desperately need. 

2. Brandon Miller had his best game of the season

The rookie was selected with the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. He made his NBA regular-season debut in the opener against the Atlanta Hawks. Miller scored 13 points and helped the Hornets win 116–110. Four days later, the 20-year-old had his first 20+ point game against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. Although it ended in a loss, fans were able to see flashes of the forward’s excellence.

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This Saturday, he bested his highest again with 29 points. If he continues to give more of this excellent performance, the Hornets can take some of the burden from LaMelo Ball’s shoulders and hope to see more wins.

3. Mitchell Robinson is the real deal

The New York Knicks now lead the table as one of the best defensive teams in the league. With 104.7 points allowed, they occupy the first place in rebounds and fifth in assists. And Mitchell Robinson is the one leading this. Last season, he struggled to find his way around the court but this time around, it seems like he has mastered it all.

Mitchell’s biggest strength is his height and wide wing span (7’0” with a 7’4”) which he fully uses to restrict teams and make them shoot the fewest field goals per game within six feet when playing against his team. He is sixth in the league with an average of 11.4 rebounds per game. As he gets better with each game, his chances of a spot in the NBA All-Defensive team seem highly likely.

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What were your takeaways from this match? Let us know down below in the comments.