After a tough loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back in a major way, blowing out the Hornets in Charlotte 128 to 100. The Lakers took a 6-4 lead with 10:30 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back, leading the rest of the way en route to their comfortable victory.
Saturday’s game was more than just a win for the Lakers, however, as it led to some history being made. LeBron James and Lonzo Ball became the first teammates to record triple-doubles in the same game since Jason Kidd and Vince Carter in 2007 and the first Lakers to do so since Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1982. No other franchise has completed the feat twice.
James finished the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in just 30 minutes of playing time. He did not play at all in the fourth quarter as the Lakers cruised to their win.
Ball added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 35 minutes while also playing lockdown defense, doing his part to hold Kemba Walker to just four points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field. Ball added five steals to his totals.
It was James’ second and Ball’s third triple-doubles as Lakers.
Ball and James have demonstrated some nice chemistry of late as Luke Walton’s staff continues using them in a two-man game. Even with Ball’s struggles shooting the ball, he is having an impactful season alongside his childhood idol, showcasing that all-around game on Saturday.
