LaMelo Ball powers Hornets to win behind strong second-half effort

On Wednesday, LaMelo Ball finished with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, but it was his effort in the second half that helped the Charlotte Hornets defeat the Phoenix Suns, 124-121.

Ball produced 16 points alone in the final two periods to lead the Hornets back from a 17-point first-half deficit. He went 6-of-9 from the field in the second half and made a number of key plays late in the game to seal the victory for the Hornets.

While the Hornets walked away with the win, they nearly let the Suns come back in the closing seconds when Devin Booker completed a tough 4-point play. Charlotte would avoid the collapse and close out Phoenix for their 15th win of the season.

The performance by Ball was good for his ninth 20-point game of the season, which leads all rookie players. He once again flashed his overall skillset in the contest, with his IQ showing when it mattered most in the closing minutes.

Ball has proven to be arguably the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and his strong start to the season has the Hornets firmly in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

Related

Hornets' LaMelo Ball makes headlines over Mike Conley Jr. taunt

'His teammates love him': Dell Curry dishes on LaMelo Ball, Hornets

LaMelo Ball put up numbers no other rookie has since Stephen Curry

List

NBA 2K21 Ratings Update: LaMelo, Saddiq Bey among biggest rookie risers