The Charlotte Hornets couldn’t have hoped for a greater consequence within the season opener.
The staff went on the highway in opposition to a darkish horse just like the Houston Rockets, misplaced one among their key guys, and nonetheless fought again to return again from an 18-point deficit and get a five-point win.
Charles Lee was spectacular in his official teaching debut, however he gave LaMelo Ball many of the credit score.
The previous No. 3 decide was on a roll all evening lengthy, and he completed the sport with a game-high 34 factors to associate with 11 assists — additionally a game-high –, eight rebounds, one steal, one block, and 4 three-pointers.
He additionally did that whereas capturing 50% from the ground.
When requested about that efficiency, Coach Lee tipped his hat to his star level guard, calling him the engine of the staff (by way of NBA).
“He’s the engine for us.”
Lee claimed that Ball was going to maintain getting higher, including that he expects extra nights like that for so long as he’s wholesome.
Notably, that is perhaps the important thing to their success — or lack thereof.
Pretty much as good as Ball has been — at the least offensively — he’s seldom out there.
He’s performed 51, 75, 36, and 22 video games since he entered the season, and that ought to proceed to be a priority going ahead.
Nobody denies his expertise, however his availability is a continuing query mark.
On a down observe, the Hornet misplaced Brandon Miller early within the sport with a hip harm, and whereas he’s not anticipated to be sidelined for lengthy, that will even be a narrative to maintain an in depth eye on.
