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 the NBA.
The rookie point guard became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double, with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on Saturday night, helping the host Hornets beat the Hawks 113-105 for their third straight win.
“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-double when he finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in a win over his brother Lonzo’s Pelicans.
Hesaidhehasn’t beguntoprocess the accomplishment.
“I live my life, and I know what I’m capable of, so stuff like doesn’t move me like that,” Ball said. “I know that’s supposed to happen.”
Ball replaced Markelle Fultz as the youngest NBA player to record a triple-double by 177 days.
“He’s a tall PGwhocanpass, can rebound and he’s a smart player,” said the Hawks’TraeYoung. “Things are going to become even easier for him.”
Ball tied his highest scoring night on 9-of-13 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’s been doing this for years,” Borrego said of Ball, whoplayed 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 the Heat.
The Celtics would have been without seven players for the game in accordance with the NBA’s health and safety protocols for dealing with COVID-19, all of them ruled out earlier Sunday — along with two others because of injury. That would have left the Celtics with only eight available players, the league minimum.
The situation grew more complex as the teams got closer to the scheduled tipoff. The Heat ruled Avery Bradley out because of the same protocols, and the team was going through contact tracing.
That process was still ongoing Sunday afternoon, and given the uncertainty—whether the Heat would have to deemmanyplayers out or not — the decision was made to postpone the game.
It wasthesecond gamepostponedin the NBAthis 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 Robert Williams because of the protocols.
Good, bad news for Nets: As expected, Nets star Kevin Durant 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, whohadCOVID-19 in May, showedthe presence of antibodies while testing negative over the last week.
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 torn ACL in his left knee during Saturday’s game against the Heat. He’s averaging 14.3 points and6.1 rebounds on 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 and2.1 assists. There’s no timetable yet for his return. ... The Mavericks shut down their practice facility Sunday morning after F Maxi Kleber tested positive for COVID-19, the team’s second positive test in three days.