LaMelo Ball made a strong return from an ankle injury, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 110-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Ball, in his first regular-season game since January, scored 34 points and added 11 assists along with eight rebounds, coming close to a triple-double.
Grant Williams provided the decisive play for Charlotte, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining to break a tie. Ball followed up by sinking two clutch free throws, securing the win for the Hornets.
Jalen Green, who recently signed the most unique rookie extension with the Rockets, paced the Rockets with 28 points, including five quick points in the closing minutes to momentarily tie the game. Alperen Sengun, also on an extension, contributed a strong performance as well, finishing with 25 points and 18 rebounds.
The Hornets struggled with injuries, as Brandon Miller left the game in the second half due to left hip soreness. Charlotte has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, and staying healthy is critical to their playoff hopes after an eight-year drought.
Houston’s inconsistency over four quarters proved costly, as they allowed Charlotte to get back into the game late. Despite strong efforts from Green and Sengun, the Rockets were unable to match Charlotte’s intensity in the final minutes.
Ball’s performance was particularly impressive considering his extended absence. He shot 10-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. His ability to orchestrate the offense and deliver key plays down the stretch was a major factor in the Hornets’ win.
Green’s 28 points came on 9-of-23 shooting, but his efforts fell short in the final minutes. Sengun’s 18 rebounds were a game-high, as the Rockets controlled the boards but couldn’t convert those opportunities into points when it mattered most.
Williams finished with 24 points, shooting 8-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range, playing a pivotal role off the bench for Charlotte. His late-game heroics and Ball’s all-around contributions proved to be the difference as the Hornets escaped with a narrow win.
