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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 31: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets walks off the court after defeating the San Antonio Spurs during their game at Spectrum Center on January 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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It’s safe to say LaMelo Ball was in a groove Sunday night. The sixth-year guard and former No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft made a career-high 10 3-pointers and scored 37 points to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 129-112 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Not only was it a career performance for Ball, but it also tied the Hornets’ franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a single game.
Take a look.
It was a solid shooting night all around for the Hornets, who finished 25-of-46 from beyond the arc. Their strongest run came in the third quarter, when the team made 12-of-14 attempts to put the game out of reach.
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A Look at LaMelo Ball’s Career
LaMelo Ball is the face of the Hornets.
Ball’s NBA journey hasn’t exactly been conventional. Before entering the NBA, he played professionally overseas, most notably in Australia’s NBL.
Ball made an immediate impact after entering the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as the franchise centerpiece. He earned his first All-Star selection in his second year and has continued to improve year after year.
Injuries have interrupted portions of his career, limiting his availability in multiple seasons. When healthy, Ball has consistently produced at a near All-Star level thanks to his blend of size at the guard position, court vision, deep shooting threat, and unique scoring versatility. At his best, he’s one of the more difficult matchups in the league.
This season, Ball is averaging 19.4 points per game, just below his career average of 20.8. It would be his first season under 20 points per game since his rookie campaign.
What’s Next for the Hornets
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Grant Williams(left) and Pat Connaughton of the Charlotte Hornets look on from the sideline during the first quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucksat Spectrum Center on December 29, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Charlotte’s recent surge after the All-Star break has injected real optimism into the team as they look to make a run at the end of the season.
The Hornets have won seven of their last 10 games. At 27-31, they control their own destiny for a postseason run. Currently in 10th place in the NBA Eastern Conference standings, they would hold the final play-in spot for the playoffs if the standings remain as they are. They are 16.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Pistons (42-13).
Staying healthy will be a key factor down the stretch, as the Hornets are not as deep as some of the other teams at the top of the conference.
Also, as a young team, limiting turnovers and mistakes will be necessary if they hope to do more than just make the playoffs and actually make a real run in May and June. Of course, strong shooting performances like Sunday night’s by Ball and the rest of his Hornets teammates will help tremendously.
Alex Shoemaker Alex Shoemaker is a seasoned sports journalist and digital content strategist with more than a decade of experience in newsrooms and digital media. He has covered a wide range of sports, including March Madness, the Olympic Trials, and local high school athletics. He began his journalism career covering high school and community sports, developing a reputation for sharp storytelling and precise design that earned awards for both writing and pagination. More about Alex Shoemaker
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