LaMelo Ball stats tonight: Hornets superstar hits game-sealing FTs to stun Lakers in 1st game after All-Star break (Feb. 19)

After missing out on an All-Star selection, LaMelo Ball had time to rest during the NBA's break for the festivities. NBA games resumed with a matchup between his Charlotte Hornets and the LA Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in a rescheduled game after the original contest was postponed due to wildfires in LA.

Ball, playing just his third game in 10 outings, delivered two of the biggest plays down the stretch: first, collapsing the Lakers’ defense on a drive for a finger-roll layup, and then sinking two free throws to put the Hornets up by three.

LeBron James attempted two 3-pointers with six seconds left, but both missed, allowing the Hornets to hold on for a 100-97 win

Ball made two field goals for four points in the opening quarter, where the Lakers outscored the Hornets 28-21. He hit a floater and assisted on a DaQuan Jeffries 3-pointer to start the second quarter, cutting the Lakers’ lead to four, but LA held on and finished the first half up 48-37.

Ball entered halftime with nine points, second-most for the Hornets, who were led by Miles Bridges with 12.

Charlotte dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 32-18 to set up a tight fourth quarter, which they eventually won.

LaMelo Ball finished the game with 27 points and six rebounds. Below are his full stats.

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
LaMelo Ball	33:15	27	5	6	9	19	47.4	5	13	38.5	4	4	100	0	5	1	0	3	1	8

The Hornets won despite shooting just 36.3% from the field and making four fewer field goals than the Lakers.

LaMelo Ball’s teammate commends him amid All-Star snub

LaMelo Ball led all Eastern Conference guards in fan voting for the All-Star Game, but failed to make the final cut after media and player votes were factored in.

Ball had a chance to be an injury replacement following Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injuries, but Kyrie Irving and Trae Young were named as replacements instead.

Hornets wing Brandon Miller praised his teammate's positive mindset amid the snub.

“That’s one of the guys who’s definitely supposed to be here,” Miller told SiriusXM NBA Radio (per SI). “Hats off to him for not laying his head down, not getting down on himself, only because he didn’t make All-Star. He’s gonna keep shining and being LaMelo.”

LaMelo Ball averages 27.3 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds this season.