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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS — It was little brother’s night Friday inside the Smoothie King Center — and almost a historic one, as well.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball nearly became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double as he posted 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a 118-110 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and big brother Lonzo.
LaMelo, at 19 years, 139 days, would have passed Markelle Fultz (19, 317 days) to become the youngest ever.
The victory for the youngest Ball against his big brother was even sweeter considering he helped the Hornets come back from an 18-point deficit to do so. His assist to Gordon Hayward with 3:44 to play helped give Charlotte a four-point cushion.
The performance was reminiscent of Lonzo’s second career game for the Los Angeles Lakers, when he also nearly became the youngest player to post a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists). On Friday, Lonzo finished with just five points, three assists, two rebounds, one block and one steal.
As Lonzo put it Thursday, it was the first “real” game the two ever had played in against each other — outside of some 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 games in the backyard of their home while kids.
Since LaMelo comes off the bench for the Hornets, their first on-court action together Friday didn’t come until he checked in at the 6:38 mark of the first quarter. The two only guarded each other for a handful of possessions but baby brother did manage to get the best of Lonzo a couple of times — he wrapped around Lonzo for a layup midway through the second quarter and ended the third with a deep 3-pointer with his brother on him.
Prior to the game, Charlotte coach James Borrego was asked to compare the two, who were the first brothers ever to each be selected in the top 3 of the NBA draft.
“I think they are leaders out there,” Borrego said. “They’ve got great vision. You can tell they know the game at a high level. I think that’s the common thread, is that they both understand the game at a high level and their teammates like playing with them. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
LaMelo also became the second-youngest Hornet ever to record a double-double, with only Michael Kidd-Gilchrist doing it at a younger age.
No matter the outcome, Friday night’s game was a realization of a lifelong dream.
“When we were younger, we always talked about it,” LaMelo said Thursday. “We always knew we were going to the league. Now the time has finally come. We’re both excited.”