On Saturday, LaMelo Ball returned to the lineup after missing 21 games with a fractured wrist and the third overall pick was back just like he never left to help the Charlotte Hornets defeat the Detroit Pistons.
Ball finished with 11 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal in 28 minutes of work in the 107-94 win. He converted on 4-of-10 shots from the field, including 1-of-4 from 3-point range, and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line.
The return of Ball made an immediate impact on the Hornets.
Prior to the contest, head coach James Borrego said the team had lacked some playmaking without Ball and the rookie brought that to the lineup. He had four assists alone in the first quarter before scoring his first basket of the game.
LAMELO DIMES ARE BAAAACK pic.twitter.com/nNAI10isKp
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) May 1, 2021
With Ball back, the Hornets played at a faster pace and scored 23 points in transition, the most they’ve had since before his injury. Needless to say, Ball had a noticeable impact on the game and his teammates are glad he is back in the lineup.
“It’s great to have him back because he’s a great passer,” Miles Bridges said, via Jacob Rude of Lonzo Wire. “He gets everybody involved, his energy is infectious. It’s great to have Melo back. And that underhand pass was crazy. You got to have top-notch confidence to pull something like that off. He threw it right to my pocket. But yeah, I mean, it’s good to have him back.”
The return of Ball will give the Hornets plenty of time to get acclimated to each other again before the play-in schedule begins on May 18. After once fearing Ball would miss the rest of the season, the Hornets are certainly glad to have their rookie back on the court.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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