The Ball brothers turned Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse into their personal playground Monday night, and for a few electric minutes in the second quarter, it didn’t matter what the scoreboard said - the spotlight belonged to Lonzo and LaMelo.
Cleveland hosted Charlotte in what was supposed to be a battle between two teams trying to shake off recent struggles. But when Lonzo and LaMelo squared up from beyond the arc, it felt like the NBA had hit pause on everything else. The second quarter turned into a sibling shootout, a moment that felt less like a regular season matchup and more like a family backyard game that just happened to be broadcast to millions.
It started with LaMelo, the Hornets’ franchise centerpiece, stepping into a smooth rhythm three. He’s been the engine for Charlotte this season, averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 assists, and he looked every bit the confident floor general the Hornets need him to be.
But before the Hornets could get comfortable, Lonzo - now manning the point for Cleveland’s second unit - fired back with a deep three of his own. It was a classic “you score, I score” moment, the kind of back-and-forth that gets crowds on their feet and siblings talking trash for years.
Lonzo three.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 23, 2025
LaMelo three.
The Ball brothers are trading 3s early in the 2nd quarter of Cavs-Hornets 💦pic.twitter.com/iMFrdATSKz
LaMelo’s been the more statistically dominant of the two this season, but Lonzo reminded everyone that his shot is still there - and his feel for the game hasn’t gone anywhere, even after all the injury setbacks. He’s averaging 5.5 points and 4.7 assists in a reserve role, but on Monday night, he looked like a player who still has plenty to offer.
At last check, Cleveland held a 73-66 lead in what’s been a grind-it-out kind of game. The Cavs are trying to snap a three-game skid, and they’re leaning on Donovan Mitchell, who’s already poured in 21 points.
Charlotte, meanwhile, is still searching for some road consistency. Rookie Kon Knueppel has stepped up with 15 points, showing flashes of why the Hornets are so high on him.
But stats and standings took a back seat during that second-quarter exchange. For a few minutes, it was all about the Ball brothers - two pros, two competitors, two siblings going shot for shot on an NBA floor.
It was the kind of moment that reminds fans why basketball is more than just a game. It’s about stories, rivalries, and sometimes, family.
No matter how the rest of the night plays out, that sequence between Lonzo and LaMelo is the one that’ll be replayed in living rooms from Cleveland to Chino Hills.