The Cleveland Cavaliers edged out the Charlotte Hornets in a high-scoring 139-132 win on Tuesday night, but the real headline came from a long-awaited family reunion on the hardwood. For the first time since January of last season, LaMelo and Lonzo Ball went head-to-head in an NBA game - a matchup that’s always bigger than just the box score.
Let’s start with LaMelo, who looked sharp despite limited minutes. He dropped 23 points on an efficient 8-of-16 shooting night, including a red-hot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. He added nine assists and four rebounds in just 24 minutes - a reminder of the electric playmaking and deep shooting range that made him a top-three pick.
Lonzo, meanwhile, came off the bench for Cleveland and didn’t light up the scoreboard, but his impact was felt in other ways. He finished with six points and seven assists, helping orchestrate a Cavs offense that found its rhythm early and never really lost it.
This wasn’t about individual stat lines, though. It was about the bigger picture: Lonzo’s Cavaliers got the win, and he now holds a 3-2 edge in career matchups against his younger brother.
That’s a stat that might not show up in a season preview, but for the Ball family, it matters.
Both brothers have had to fight their way back to the court. Lonzo’s journey has been especially grueling - he missed two full seasons after undergoing a cartilage and meniscus transplant in 2022.
For a player once known for his speed and defensive instincts, that kind of layoff could have spelled the end. But here he is, back in the league, contributing to a Cavs team that’s quietly building something.
LaMelo’s path hasn’t been much easier. Ankle and knee issues have kept him off the floor for stretches of his young career, but when he’s healthy, there’s no denying his talent. Tuesday night was a good example - the shot looked smooth, the vision was on full display, and he reminded everyone why Charlotte still sees him as the face of the franchise.
And if you were watching closely, you might’ve spotted the third Ball brother, LiAngelo, sitting in the crowd. He’s had his own basketball journey - including a short stint with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate - but he’s now pursuing a music career. Even without a roster spot, he’s still showing up for his brothers.
It’s wild to think about how far the Ball family has come since their days lighting up the high school circuit at Chino Hills. That team, which also featured current Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu, was must-see basketball. Fast-forward to now, and two of the Ball brothers are not only in the league - they’re both top-three picks, the only siblings in NBA history to share that distinction.
Lonzo was the first to break through, starring at UCLA before the Lakers made him the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft. Three years later, LaMelo went third overall to Charlotte. Different paths, different styles, but the same court vision, same flair, and the same competitive fire that’s been there since day one.
Tuesday night wasn’t just another regular season game - it was a reminder of what makes the NBA so compelling. Family ties, comeback stories, sibling rivalries, and moments that go beyond the numbers.
For the Ball brothers, it was another chapter in a story that’s still being written. And if we’re lucky, we’ll get a few more of these matchups before it’s all said and done.