LaMelo Ball's Worst Game Yet, But Hornets Still Dominate

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Despite LaMelo Ball having his worst game in a month, the Charlotte Hornets still managed to win comfortably by 27 points, highlighting the team's ability to succeed without depending solely on their star player's peak performance. The Hornets' depth, with strong contributions from the bench, more than offset Ball's struggles, demonstrating the team's balanced approach that could prove vital in sustaining success and pushing deeper into the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Hornets' ability to win convincingly without relying on LaMelo Ball's best performance every night suggests they have built a well-rounded team capable of thriving even when their star player has an off night. This could be a crucial factor in the team's postseason aspirations, as it shows they have the depth and resilience to weather any individual player's inconsistencies.

The details

In the recent game where Ball struggled with shooting, committed four turnovers, and picked up four fouls, the Hornets still managed to win by a comfortable margin. Players like Josh Green (+36), Sion James (+30), and Grant Williams (+23) produced outstanding contributions off the bench, more than offsetting Ball's -5 plus-minus, which marked his worst performance in a month. Rookie Sion James and second-year player Ryan Kalkbrenner also made significant impacts, proving to be valuable assets for the team.

• The Hornets' recent game was played on March 3, 2026.

What’s next

As the season progresses, the Hornets' balanced approach could prove vital in sustaining success and pushing deeper into the playoffs, showcasing a team capable of thriving beyond relying solely on their star player.