Lonzo Ball had the best outing yet of the young NBA season on Saturday in Houston. With Jrue Holiday out with a knee injury, Ball took the sole playmaking responsibilities for the Pelicans with Josh Hart sliding into the starting lineup alongside Ball.
The two flourished together along with fellow former Laker Brandon Ingram shining brightest on the night for the Pelicans. Ingram nearly matched his career-high in scoring with 35 points while setting a new career-high mark with 15 rebounds all while adding five assists. Saturday was the first time in Ingram’s career he reached a 35-15-5 stat line.
Hart shot well from range, scoring 23 points while connecting on five of his 12 three-point attempts. His biggest play of the night, though, started on the defensive end when Hart turned over James Harden in the open court late before laying in a fastbreak layup to cut the Rockets lead down to a single point.
Ball, meanwhile, finished with 18 points while adding 10 assists, the first time this season he’s reached double figures in dimes. Ball was also active on the defensive side, coming away with three steals.
Unfortunately, the Rockets came away victorious, holding late for a 126-123 victory, dropping the Pelicans to 0-3 on the season.
