CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Charlotte Hornets left town on Jan. 8, flying across country to start things off with a pair of outings in Los Angeles, a unique itinerary awaited LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets’ superstar was in for a family affair in more ways than one, beginning with his first game action in his native area in years. But Southern California wildfires forced postponement of Charlotte’s contests against the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, altering things in an unimaginable fashion.

“I pretty much just hope people are safe,” Ball explained to The Charlotte Observer during the trip. “Like they say, it’s bigger than basketball. I just hope people are getting what they need out there, protected and stuff, talking to their people.”

Although the unfortunate circumstances wouldn’t allow for an appetizer in Los Angeles, there was a pretty good main course: Friday night’s date with older brother Lonzo Ball in Chicago, marking just the fourth time the duo matched up in the NBA, and first occasion since 2021. And even brother LiAngelo Ball had a seat for the festivities at the United Center, watching the Hornets get the best of the Bulls in a 125-123 victory.

The younger Ball gains the bragging rights over big brother for now, evening their record at 2-2 all time. And LaMelo surely will rib Lonzo about getting past Lonzo for a key drive to the bucket in the final minutes, drawing a foul on big brother, and also playing solid defense on Lonzo during a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

“It’s great whenever I see my folks, my brothers,” the Hornets’ star told reporters after securing the win. “So, great times.”

Given the injury history of both, the game represented a special moment, one the brothers can look back on years from now when they’ve hung up their sneakers for good. LaMelo posted 26 points and nine assists and Lonzo tossed in six points with three rebounds and three assists off the bench for Chicago.

In their previous three head-to-head battles, statistically LaMelo got the better of Lonzo, averaging 21.2 points, 7.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds. Lonzo had registered 11.5 points, six assists and five rebounds per game.

But this one was a little different, in part because they had LiAngelo — who played in summer league with the Hornets in 2022 — in a courtside seat. It had to also be a cool touch, particularly since he’s now one of the hottest upcoming artists.

LiAngelo, who goes by Gelo, is riding the wave of his single “Tweaker,” which has gained steam since its release just earlier this month.

The 26-year-old reportedly just inked a record contract with Def Jam and Universal Music Group worth as much as $13 million, a pact that gives him full ownership of his music along with his own record label.

“Yeah, he’s going crazy,” the Hornets’ guard told The Observer, in regard to Gelo’s success. “I’m always going to show love for my brothers. He’s been a good rapper for a minute. Nobody really knew he could, but I heard his little song and stuff and I’m like, ‘Hey bro, you are actually really talented.’”

Miles Bridges, who released his own music previously but has taken a break to focus more on basketball, is also a fan of Gelo’s track.

“I think it’s good,” Bridges said. “Gelo got a lot of publicity from that. But it’s a great song.”

Here’s something else that’s scorching: LaMelo’s play.

Ball is averaging career highs in points (29.6), field goals (10.3), 3-pointers (4.4) and free throws (4.5). His scoring average ranks fourth in the NBA and he is on pace to set a Hornets single-season record.

He’s also dishing 7.5 assists, collecting 5.5 rebounds, and recording 1.4 steals across 26 appearances. The 23-year-old leads the league in fourth-quarter points per game (9.2) and is nailing league-best 4.4 3-pointers per game.

Heading into their date with the Bulls, he was one of seven players averaging 25 points, five rebounds and five assists, joining Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

In short, Ball boosts the Hornets in several areas and leaves an impression — up and down the entire roster and throughout the building and organization.

“We all talk about how talented he is, which I get to see every day,” coach Charles Lee said. “Some of the things that he’s done and seeing some of the players I’ve been around, I’m still in, like, awe of the plays that he’s able to make.

“But I just think that his coachability, his relationships with his teammates is elite.”

And that’s not all that sticks out.

“You try to talk to him a little bit about his defensive activity,” Lee said, “and I think that his ability to replay a play that happened as soon as he’s coming off the court … I can say, ‘Hey, why didn’t you …’ And before I can even get it out, he’s like, ‘I should have shifted right there, huh?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes, you should have.’

“It’s just his recall of plays, his coachability and understanding of what’s going on and then an ability to then relay it to his teammates. I think they have so much respect for him as a competitor, it just continues to make everyone around him better.”

____

©2025 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.