Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

LaMelo Ball's game-winner further enhances his star power

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 1:34 PM ET

No matter what happens from this point forward, LaMelo Ball's clutch game-winning shot on Tuesday night combined with his play all season has sent his star status into a new galaxy.

With the Charlotte Hornets, one of the NBA's surprise teams of the year, down by one point in the final seconds of the game, Ball drove the lane and got a shot up near the basket. That shot used the backboard to fall through the net. Ball's shot awarded the Hornets a 127-126 win over the Miami Heat and kept them alive in the play-in tournament.

LaMelo Ball's game-winning shot will live forever in Hornets' history

Ball, 24, also did far more than just show up at the end for his team, even if the image of his last shot will be what fans always remember about the game. He put up 30 points in 40 minutes while connecting on 12-of-31 from the field with a couple big threes mixed in as well.

Ball also controlled the flow of the game and set up the Hornet's offense, dishing out 10 assists and bringing down five rebounds.

MR 1OF1 ❗️#ProtectTheHive x @MELOD1P pic.twitter.com/J1jFztnfm6
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 15, 2026

But his playoff performance isn't the only reason he's worthy of more recognition as an NBA star on the rise. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft revitalized his career throughout the 2025-26 season, leading the Hornets to the franchise's best season in over a decade.

Ball is coming off his best full season in years

Playing in 72 games, his highest total since his second season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists. And while his numbers were actually a bit down from the year prior, his 2024-25 averages were only in 47 games.

It's no coincidence that the Hornets getting Ball back on the court for most of the games coincided with a return to the play-in tournament. Charlotte's last appearance came after the 2021-22 season when Ball played in a career-high 75 games. From that point on, injuries cost him time on the floor and thus the Hornets games, resulting in only 19, 21 and 27 wins in their most recent seasons, respectively.

Initially cast in the shadow his older Ball brother, Lonzo, LaMelo has now made a name for himself in the league. As long as he can stay healthy, more big games, big wins and a return to the All-Star Game could be in LaMelo Ball's future.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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