Ball makes history in Hornets’ win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » LaMelo Ball became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-105 on Saturday night for their third straight win.
The 19-year- old Ball replaced Markelle Fultz as the youngest NBA player to record a triple- double by 177 days.
Ball, the third overall pick in the NBA draft, was 9 of 13 from the field as the Hornets handed the struggling Hawks their fourth straight loss. He became only the fifth rookie in NBA history to record a tripledouble and the first Hornets player ever to reach that plateau coming off the bench.
Terry Rozier scored 23 points for the Hornets. NUGGETS 115, 76ERS 103 » Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 12 assists to lead Denver past Philadelphia, beating a 76ers team that had only seven available players because of injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
The Sixers tipped without four regular starters — All- Stars Ben Simmons (sore left knee) and Joel Embiid ( back) due to injury, and Seth Curry and Tobias Harris over virus concerns. Coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t think the game should be played.
Curry learned of his pos
itive coronavirus test while the team played Thursday in Brooklyn, and the additional testing, contact tracing and COVID-19 health and safety protocols led to a slew of unavailable players.
HEAT 128, WIZARDS 124 » Tyler Herro scored a careerhigh 31 points and Jimmy Butler nearly had a triple- double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as Miami beat shorthanded Washington.
Washington played without the NBA’s leading scorer, Bradley Beal, who was a late scratch when he was placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol.
Miami has alternated wins and losses through its first eight games. The Wizards lost their third straight and are winless in five home games.
SUNS 125, PACERS 117 » Mikal Bridges scored a careerhigh 34 points and Devin Booker added 25, leading Phoenix over Indiana.
Phoenix pulled into a tie with the defending champion Los Angles Lakers for the best record in the Western Conference at 7-3 after earning its first road win over the Pacers since 2016.
BUCKS 100, CAVALIERS 90 » Khris Middleton scored 27 points and Milwaukee withstood the absence of
two- time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat Cleveland.
Antetokounmpo sat out with back spasms after taking a hard fall one night earlier in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
SPURS 125, TIMBERWOLVES 122 (OT) » DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points, helping San Antonio beat Minnesota in overtime in KarlAnthony Towns’ return to the Timberwolves. MAVERICKS 112, MAGIC 98 » Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a season-high 36 points, Trey Burke did the same with 29 and Luka Doncic had another triple- double as short-handed Dallas beat Orlando.