Nov 8, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) celebrates after a three-point basket against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Kyrie Irving Makes Honest LaMelo Ball Statement After Mavs-Hornets Game

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 6:18 PM ET

On Monday afternoon, the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Charlotte Hornets by a score of 110-105 in North Carolina.

LaMelo Ball finished the win with 23 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals and one block while shooting 8/21 from the field and 5/10 from the three-point range in 38 minutes.

After the game, Kyrie Irving was asked about Ball when he met iwth the media.

Irving: "I'm glad that he's healthy this year. He's able to show the world who he is. He's got good pedigree; he comes from a family that has pros... I'm happy for him, proud of him... I want to see that young guy reach his potential even more so. Answer a lot of the doubters and the naysayers that say he can't win and things like that. You've gotta deal with that as a young player for a little bit. He's handled it with grace."

Ball is averaging 29.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 42.1% from the field and 33.5% from the three-point range in 28 games.

With the win, the Hornets improved to 11-28 in 39 games, which has them as the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference.

While Ball has been an elite player when he's been on the floor, he has been unable to make the NBA playoffs in each of his first four seasons.

“I wanna see that young guy reach his potential even more so and answer a lot of the doubters and naysayers that say, 'He can't win.”

Kyrie Irving on LaMelo Ball pic.twitter.com/7MP4d679Bq
— MeloHive (@Meloleague) January 20, 2025