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LaMelo Ball · As evidenced by their 15 wins as underdogs in 2024-25, the Charlotte Hornets are always equipped with a fighter’s chance of competing as long as No. 1 is quarterbacking the offense. Tantalizingly close to propelling Charlotte’s road upset over the Los Angeles Lakers on February 19, 2025, Ball challenges Luka Dončić to a top-of-the-key tango, stringing size-up dribbles together until a hesitation unlocks his path to the paint. Having eliminated one potential defender, Ball sets sights on another, baiting Jaxson Hayes into leaving his feet before scooping a crunchtime dime to a teammate, tying the game at the two-and-a-half-minute mark. Like sharks smelling blood, the Charlotte found Los Angeles to be particularly vulnerable after the ejection of their No. 3 star, springboarding a 24-1 run thereafter into a come-from-behind shocker. Problematic for the purple-and-gold from the moment he set off into a move, Ball was business as usual, collecting 27 points (on 9-of-19 shooting), five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and five triples. · State of Mint