With the NBA season on hold indefinitely, we have taken the opportunity to rank and match-up Lonzo Ball’s greatest performance in a March Madness bracket format.
Round 1, Game 1
Round 2, Game 2
Lonzo Ball’s rookie season had lots of memorable moments but two of his highest achievements square off with one another. Nearly a month into the season, he notched his first career triple-double. Then, in the final month of the season, he had one of his most clutch performances.
No. 3 seed – Lakers at Milwaukee, Nov. 11, 2017
Ball’s up-and-down start to his rookie season saw him score 29 points in his second game then go ice cold over the next 10 games. In that span, he averaged 7.5 points, shooting 26.1% from the field and 17.0% from three leading into a mid-November game in Milwaukee.
While that game against the Bucks didn’t necessarily end his slump, it was a great flash-in-the-pan moment for Ball and the Lakers as the rookie guard finished with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting overall and 3-of-5 three-point shooting.
No. 6 seed – Lakers at San Antonio, March 3, 2018
While the Boston Celtics are and likely forever will be the biggest rivals to the Lakers, the Spurs have moved into the No. 2 spot for many fans over the last two decades. Countless heated playoff meetings led to emotional wins and losses.
As a result, it came with great pleasure that one of Ball’s best games his rookie year and for his career came in San Antonio. Not only did Ball hit a then career-high six three-pointers, he hit some enormous shots in the fourth. Over the final 2:45, Ball hit three three-pointers, two of those coming off ball screens at the top of the key.
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