The Chicago Bulls’ matchup with the Charlotte Hornets is bound to get some extra attention tonight!
Despite both teams on track to finish in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference, they will provide NBA fans with one of the more exciting matchups of the season. Lonzo and LaMelo Ball will face off for only the fourth time in their careers. To be sure, the Bulls have already met the Hornets twice this season, but LaMelo was sidelined for both meetings.
The last time Lonzo got to compete against his younger brother was Nov. 29, 2021. He helped lift the Bulls to a 14-point victory, scoring 16 points with 8 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. This is the only time he competed against LaMelo in a Bulls uniform, as the previous two battles came while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. LaMelo took the first-ever meeting between the brothers during his rookie season but heads into tonight’s contest down 2-1 after back-to-back losses.
For Lonzo, this marks another exciting step in what has been an uplifting comeback story. The 27-year-old has looked increasingly like his former self even after suffering a wrist injury early in the year that forced him to miss 15 games. He is averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over the last nine games in his new reserve role. We’ve also watched him shoot 41.7 percent from long range on roughly 5.0 attempts a night during this stretch.
I’m sure every time these two have matched up in the past has been a surreal experience, but the two will likely cherish the moment a little extra tonight. A year ago it wasn’t a certainty that they would ever get to battle on an NBA court again. LaMelo also knows better than anyone how hard his brother worked to get back to this point. Nevertheless, don’t expect either to take it easy on the other.
LaMelo vs. Lonzo Ball Game Log
Hornest 118, Pelicans 110 – Jan. 8, 2021
Lonzo Ball: 5 PTS (2-8 FG, 1-7 3PT), 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
LaMelo Ball: 12 PTS (4-11 FG, 1-5 3PT), 9 AST, 10 REB, 1 STL
Pelicans 112, Hornets 110 – May 9, 2021
Lonzo Ball: 12 PTS (4-14 FG, 4-11 3PT), 6 AST, 3 REB
LaMelo Ball: 22 PTS (10-19 FG, 2-5 3PT), 5 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL
Bulls 133, Hornets 119 – November 29, 2021
Lonzo Ball: 16 PTS (6-8 FG, 4-5 3PT), 8 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL
LaMelo Ball: 18 PTS (5-15 FG, 3-8 3PT), 13 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL