Just eight days after recording his first triple-double, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball again turned heads in a solid performance.
It is nearly safe to say that I have proven wrong about Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard, Lonzo Ball. En route to a 127-109 demolition of the Denver Nuggets, Lonzo Ball joins legend point guards Magic Johnson and Jerry West as the only Lakers in history to record two triple-doubles in the same season.
Lonzo registered 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists in the win. Per Serena Winters, his 16 rebounds were the most from a rookie guard in 17 years.
Over a three-game stretch against the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns twice, Lonzo Ball averaged an anemic 5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 4.3 APG. Although the Lakers boasted a 1-2 record during the timespan, the Lakers bounced back against the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic, because of ejection, and Paul Millsap, because of injury, both leaving the game in the first half certainly helped out the Lakers. Ball and company took full advantage of their absences.
The Lakers recorded 11 steals in the game. Even Lonzo Ball joined the defensive smackdown. He recorded two blocks to go along with the triple-double. Lonzo posted a plus-29 on the court as well.
We can get used to this. #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/xxlFeUAeKA
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 20, 2017
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Nonetheless, Ball still struggled immensely from the field. He shot 5-13 from the field and 1-4 overall from deep. Shooting has been a scuffle for Lonzo during his rookie year, but he still has plenty of time to turn it around (65 games to be exact).
When critics pounced on Lonzo’s so-far down rookie year, he has responded with stunning performances. Ball now joins Ben Simmons as the only two rookies to accumulate two triple-doubles this season. Only LeBron James and Oscar Robertson have done the same as the two rookies have in their first appearances in the NBA.
After the Nuggets scored 146 points in their last game, Lonzo led his team to a victory. It was an impressive victory for the Lakers to hold the Nuggets to 109 in the following game.
Next: Lakers vs Nuggets Recap and Highlights
The Lakers will look to continue their strong play Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls in the finale of their homestand. After that, the Lakers and Ball will have a showdown with his collegiate rival, former Kentucky point guard, De’Aaron Fox.