LaMelo Ball became the youngest player in National Basketball League history on Monday to record a triple-double with the Illawarra Hawks in a 114-106 overtime win over the Cairns Taipans.
The 18-year-old finished with a career-high 32 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes of work while he shot 11-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. His 13 dimes and 11 boards were also career-highs.
Ball even paid homage to Carmelo Anthony by doing his patented celebration after hitting a clutch 3-pointer with just five seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. From there, the Hawks outscored the Taipans 15-7 in extra time to seal the victory.
Every highlight, all of them (there were a lot) from LaMelo Ball's triple-double against the Cairns Taipans ⤵️
3⃣2⃣ points
1⃣1⃣ rebounds
1⃣3⃣ assists#NBL20 pic.twitter.com/glzdTzYgHj— NBL (@NBL) November 25, 2019
Ball had come close to a triple-double before but Monday was his first of the season with the Hawks. He has struggled at times with his shooting but his outing against the Taipans was easily his most efficient effort to this point.
Ball had seemingly all of the tricks in his bag working from his 3-point shooting to his ability to get his teammates involved. Ball pulled up a number of times from well behind the 3-point line and his pick-and-rolls seemed to be working all game long.
After his performance on Monday, Ball is averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals for the Hawks, while he is now shooting 38% from the field and 27% from 3-point range.
The Hawks return to action on Saturday against R.J. Hampton and the New Zealand Breakers.
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