So far, Ball shows ‘ rare’ ability, poise
Rookie PG draws praise after record- setting triple- double
LaMelo Ball isn’t wasting any time making an impact in theNBA.
The rookie point guard became the youngest player in league history to record a triple- double, with22points, 12 rebounds and 11 assist son Saturday night, helping the host Hornets beat the Hawks 113- 105 for their third straightwin.
“A 19- year- old rookie does not look like this,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “This is rare what you’re seeing.”
Ball’s history- making performance came just two nights after he missed out on his first triple- doublewhenhe finished with 12 points, 10reboundsandnine assists inawin over his brother Lonzo’s Pelicans.
He said he hasn’t begun to process the accomplishment.
“I livemy life, andIknowwhatI’m capable of, so stuff like doesn’t move me like that,” Ball said. “I knowthat’s supposed to happen.”
Ball replaced Markelle Fultz as the youngest NBA player to record a triple- double by 177 days.
“He’s a tallPGwhocanpass, canrebound and he’s a smart player,” said the Hawks’ Trae Young. “Things are going to become even easier for him.”
Ball tied his highest scoring nighton9- of13 shooting from the field as the Hornets handed the struggling Hawks their fourth consecutive loss. He became only the fifth rookie in NBA history to record a triple- double and the first Hornets player to do it coming off the bench.
“He’s not rattled by the moment. It’s like he’sbeen doing this for years,” Borrego said of Ball, who played overseas before becoming the third pick in the NBA draft.
Heat- Celtics off: Sunday night’s game between the Celtics and Heat in Boston was postponed because of contact tracing concerns within theHeat.
The Celtics would have been without seven players for the game in accordance with theNBA’s health and safety protocols for dealingwithCOVID- 19, all ofthemruled out earlierSunday— along with twoothers because of injury. Thatwould have left the Celticswithonly eight available players, the league minimum.
The situation grewmore complex as the teams got closer to the scheduled tip off. The Heat ruled Avery Bradley out because of thesameprotocols, andthe teamwas going through contact tracing.
That process was still ongoing Sunday afternoon, and given the uncertainty — whether the Heat would have to deem many players out or not— the decisionwas made to postpone the game.
It was the second game postponed in the NBA this season. A game between the Thunder and Rockets was postponed on Dec. 23 because the Rockets didn’t have enough eligible players to play.
The Celtics on Sunday ruled out Jaylen Brown, Javonte Green, Semi Ojeleye, Jayson Tatum, Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams and RobertWilliams because of the protocols.
Good, badnewsforNets: Asexpected, Nets starKevinDurant returned to the lineup for Sunday night’s game against the Thunder.
Durant missed the last three games due to league health and safety protocols. He had been exposed to somebody who tested positive for the coronavirus. Durant, who had COVID- 19 inMay, showed the presence of antibodies while testing negative over the lastweek.
Kyrie Irving, however, missed his third straight game for personal reasons. The Nets haven’ t elaborated on Irving’ s absence.
Layups: Wizards C Thomas Bryant likely will miss the rest of the season after suffering partially tornACLin his leftkneeduring Saturday’ s game against the Heat. He’ saveraging 14.3 points and 6.1 rebound son 65% shooting this season. ... Hawks G Bogdan Bogdanovic suffered a fractured right knee during Saturday’ s game against the Hornets. He’s averaging 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. There’s no timetable yet for his return. ... TheMavericks shut down their practice facility Sunday morning after F Maxi Kleber tested positive for COVID- 19, the team’s secondpositive test inthreedays.