CHICAGO — It took three years, one month and 19 days for Lonzo and LaMelo Ball to face off again in an NBA game.
Much has changed since then.
“A little surreal just seeing how far he’s come,” Lonzo Ball said of his younger brother.
For the first time since Nov. 29, 2021, the star siblings finally got the chance to battle for bragging rights once more on Friday. Score this round to the little brother.
LaMelo scored a team-high 26 points with a game-high nine assists to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 125-123 road win over the Chicago Bulls. It was only the fourth meeting between the Ball brothers due to injuries to both players. The head-to-head series is tied, 2-2.
LaMelo broke into a huge smile immediately at the sound of the final buzzer. He began flexing his muscles and shouting to teammates. It was the Hornets’ (10-28) third win in four games, and when the Ball brothers embraced at half court, a jovial LaMelo was clearly more interested in engaging in postgame banter.
“We were talking about our record,” Lonzo said. “I was telling him it was 2-2. He can’t be too happy about that. But to him, it’s 3-1 his way. I don’t know how that guy thinks sometimes (laughs).”
Lonzo expressed his respect for LaMelo like only a proud big brother could. Since their last head-to-head meeting in his second season, LaMelo has transformed into an All-Star and a top-five scorer in the NBA. He’s averaging 29.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 27 games.
“Being a big brother and looking over him his whole life, to see that he’s got to the highest stage, and now he’s leading the league in All-Star votes on the East, he’s doing his thing, averaging almost 30,” Lonzo said. “It’s definitely a blessing to see him go out there and do the things that I know that he can do on a nightly basis.”
In a reversal of their debut matchup, when LaMelo was a reserve and Lonzo was a starter, Lonzo came off the bench Friday. The Bulls have used Lonzo as a reserve and kept him on a minutes restriction as he continues working his way back from a near-three-year absence caused by chronic knee soreness and multiple surgeries on his left knee.
“It’s just a privilege to be back playing,” Lonzo said. “Playing against him is definitely a little different than playing against the rest of the league, just because we grew up playing together, and that is my brother. So, it’s definitely a little bigger night than most for me.
“It’s a proud moment. I’m very happy to see him out there, for sure.”
LaMelo marveled at Lonzo’s return from a complex medical condition that jeopardized his career. Lonzo underwent three surgeries on his left knee to address chronic soreness he began experiencing during the 2021-22 season, his first with the Bulls. He was limited to 35 games that season before undergoing meniscus and cartilage replacements. His surgeries were deemed last-ditch, career-saving procedures.
“The journey is amazing (in) itself,” LaMelo said. “He’s the only person to do that in the NBA, so that’s crazy. That’s amazing.”
With their middle brother, Gelo, now a rap recording artist, sitting courtside along the baseline, it was a Ball family affair inside the United Center. Fans welcomed Gelo with a warm ovation when he was introduced on the big screen during a first-quarter timeout.
“I MIGHT SWERVE BEND THAT CORNER WOAHHHHH” 🎶
Gelo Ball in the HOUSE to see his brothers Lonzo and LaMelo battle it out! pic.twitter.com/8x8WZ2Yv02
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025
LaMelo called the time spent with siblings and other loved ones “amazing vibes.”
“We do what we always do when we see each other: just kick it at the crib, man, like we’re kids again, to be honest,” Lonzo said. “We pull up, have the chef cook for us, have some good food and just chill all night.”
A buzz grew in the crowd when Lonzo checked in for the first time with 7:06 remaining in the first quarter. Five seconds into his first stint, a defensive possession, he switched onto LaMelo — and the buzz grew bigger. The brothers defended each other as much as possible. Lonzo finished with six points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 25 minutes. He played the final 6:10, continuing to force himself into the closing lineup as one of the Bulls’ most impactful performers. On Friday, he closed the game over Josh Giddey and Patrick Williams.
“We’re trying to obviously put the guys out there — at least I am — that I feel are going to give us the best opportunity to win,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said.
Lonzo has been through enough over the past three seasons to know better than to take his opportunities for granted. Playing against his brother, albeit rare due to circumstances, never gets old.
“People have got to understand, it’s still a business,” Lonzo said. “It’s just part of the game sometimes. Injuries happen — load (management) and stuff like that. I can’t speak to what Charlotte does, but I know if it was a back-to-back per se, I wouldn’t be playing. So, there’s different factors that go into it, not just wanting to play. Because obviously, we always want to be out there and play, but it’s a lot more than that.”
(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
