Doug Branson here, the host of the daily Locked On Hornets podcast, with your daily Locked On Hornets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Hornets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Hornets Reeling: LaMelo Ball’s Heroics Overshadowed by Injury News
Nov 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone/Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
🏆 LaMelo Ball’s Star Power Can’t Lift the Hornets
LaMelo Ball’s 50-point explosion against the Milwaukee Bucks wasn’t just a career night—it was a performance that underscored his status as one of the NBA’s most electric young stars. Ball scored at all three levels, despite being a player who rarely takes mid-range shots. He drained floaters, got to the rim, and connected on six three-pointers. The effort marked the first 50-point game of his career and made him only the second player in Charlotte Hornets history to reach that milestone, joining Kemba Walker.
The context of the performance made it even more remarkable. Ball scored 40 of his 50 points in the second half, a feat that only a handful of players in NBA history have achieved. He did this against a Bucks team featuring elite defenders like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, who are well-known for protecting the paint and disrupting offensive flow. LaMelo didn’t just score—he orchestrated the offense, adding 10 assists while committing only four turnovers, an impressive ratio given his 38 field-goal attempts and 40 minutes of high-usage play.
What’s more, Ball’s heroics almost brought the Hornets back from a 15-point deficit in the final four minutes. His decision-making stood out in crunch time, as he recognized Milwaukee’s defensive adjustments and began deferring to Brandon Miller, who also had a stellar game with 30 points. Together, Ball and Miller became the youngest NBA duo since Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to combine for such a scoring output in a single game.
This performance wasn’t empty scoring in a blowout loss—it was a masterclass in carrying a team and refusing to give up. LaMelo’s 50-point game nearly pushed the Hornets to overtime and served as a reminder of his star potential.
Why It Matters:
• Historical Significance: Only a select few players score 40 points in a half or reach 50 in a game. LaMelo has entered a rare club.
• Efficiency in High Volume: Despite attempting 38 shots, Ball maintained a true shooting percentage of over 57%, demonstrating he wasn’t just jacking up low-quality looks.
• Leadership on Display: With injuries decimating the Hornets’ roster, LaMelo stepped up as both a scorer and a playmaker.
• All-Star Campaign: This performance strengthens his case for All-Star consideration, especially with his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments against elite competition.
For a 22-year-old still evolving as a player, this game was a major milestone in LaMelo’s career and a glimpse of the heights he can reach. Even in a loss, it was a night Hornets fans won’t forget—and a signal to the rest of the league that Ball is on the path to becoming one of the NBA’s most complete offensive stars.
đźš‘ Injury Bug Bites Hard
The Hornets’ season took a grim turn as Grant Williams was ruled out for the year with a torn ACL and other associated ligament damage. Williams, a key rotational piece and floor spacer, had been averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds per game while providing critical versatility on both ends of the court. His absence exacerbates an already depleted roster with injuries sidelining key players like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Miles Bridges.
The big picture: Injuries are pushing the Hornets into survival mode. Coach Charles Lee faces the daunting task of restructuring the rotation amid dwindling resources.
🔮 What’s Next for the Hornets?
With their playoff hopes dimming, the Hornets might shift focus to developing young talent like Brandon Miller and Tre Mann while ramping up LaMelo Ball’s All-Star campaign. Watch for potential trade deadline moves involving veterans like Miles Bridges as the team looks to the future.
What to watch: The Hornets face the Orlando Magic next, a test of resilience against a rising Eastern Conference team.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury The Charlotte Hornets face a setback as Grant Williams suffers an ACL injury, potentially impacting their season. Williams’ injury represents a significant blow to the team’s roster depth and performance. (AP News)
Ranking Where do the Hornets’ big three rank among NBA teams? This detailed analysis breaks down their performance and impact compared to other top trios in the league. (Sports Illustrated)
Milestone LaMelo Ball achieves his first career 50-point game, a significant milestone celebrated by fans and fellow players alike, including Damian Lillard’s reaction. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Orlando Magic will face off against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hornets podcasts.
LaMelo Ball Drops 50!! as Charlotte Hornets Face More Injury Woes LaMelo Ball erupted for a career-high 50 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, but the Charlotte Hornets couldn’t secure the win. In this episode of Locked On Hornets, we break down LaMelo’s electric performance, his growing chemistry with Brandon Miller, and what this means for the team’s trajectory. Unfortunately, the Hornets received devastating news: Grant Williams is out for the season with a torn ACL. We discuss the ripple effects on the team’s rotation and how injuries have derailed the Hornets’ season. Plus, are LaMelo and Brandon Miller destined for All-Star appearances despite the team’s struggles?
Brandon Miller Shines with Career-High 38 in OT Thriller! LaMelo Ball Drops 35! Charlotte Hornets Win! The Charlotte Hornets picked up an electrifying overtime win against the Detroit Pistons, with Brandon Miller delivering a career-high 38 points and LaMelo Ball contributing 35 in a high-stakes performance. In this episode of Locked On Hornets, Walker Mehl and Doug Branson break down all the critical moments, from Miller’s clutch three-pointers in overtime to LaMelo’s determined response after being benched in the previous game. Both young stars showed their brilliance, but not without challenges.
LaMelo Ball’s Rises Up NBA Rankings + Can Charlotte Hornets Rebound vs. Detroit Pistons? In this episode of Locked On Hornets, Walker Mehl and Doug Branson dive deep into the drama surrounding LaMelo Ball’s recent benching. Despite the controversy, LaMelo continues to climb NBA player rankings, landing at an impressive 27th on The Ringer’s latest list. The duo analyzes why LaMelo’s sky-high usage rate is drawing comparisons to NBA greats like Stephen Curry and James Harden and how injuries to key players like Mark Williams and Nick Richards have impacted LaMelo’s style of play.
