Charlotte Hornets got LaMelo Ball back and the 2021 Rookie of the Year delivered as he scored 28 points and hit clutch shots to will his team to a victory over the Atlanta Hawks who also got their star Trae Young back after missing 22 games.
Ball also posted four rebounds and 13 assists. He delivered the 3-point dagger that closed the door for the Hawks with 28 seconds to go before wrapping it up with 133-126 victory.
Yeah why would you want LaMelo Ball on your team?
Just maybe the most exciting player in basketball
Might accidentally drop a light 28 PTS – 13 AST – 6 TO – 4 REB – 1 STL – 8/11 3P on any given Thursday with a go-ahead stepback three for good measure
— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) December 19, 2025
Ball savors his return and thought the Thursday game was one of the most fun time he’s had on the floor.
🎙️ LaMelo Ball: “That was just fun.”
“Pretty much just getting back out here—I haven’t been out here in a minute, and pretty much the whole team just playing. We’re getting guys back and everybody out there… so it’s just fun.”@MELOD1P Postgame Interview: pic.twitter.com/dbFjvaKk8L
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) December 19, 2025
LaMelo Ball thinks they got a good squad
Ball has been under scrutiny lately. He even got tagged as the most unserious player. This has a lot to do with his lack of playoff success compared to his batchmates.
Others defend that he just don’t have good teammates to play with. Ball thinks that perception is about to change.
He believes they got capable players who can help them reach a new level. He said the game came easy for him despite missing the last three games because of his teammates.
“I wasn’t trying to press to shoot the ball or anything. We’ve got so many weapons now, so l ain’t got to force anything. So, I’m just letting the game come to me,” he said.
The latest victory was a total team effort. Rookie of the Year candidate Knon Knueppel put up 28 points while 2023 2nd overall pick Brandon Miller, who just like Ball is in and out of the line-up, had 26 points and eight rebounds.
The win over Hawks are Hornets’ 2nd straight win although they remain outside of the play-in in the standings.
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