For the first time in his last nine games played, Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball did not score in double-figures. He shot just 2-of-10 and only made one of his seven 3-point attempts, finishing with all of five points against the Sacramento Kings.
Yet, the impact Ball had for the Lakers in their second consecutive win was still felt. He notched an eighth career double-double (two have been triple-doubles) with 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 37 minutes.
Ball became the first Lakers player with a double-double that did not include points since Lamar Odom in 2008.
“He was impactful on both ends. He creates our pace for us, he makes winning plays for us. He gets other people easy shots,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton.
“He impacted the game on both ends of the floor and was a big part of why we won tonight. Eleven assists and only one turnover is awesome.”
That Ball only had one turnover was noteworthy in and of itself, but particularly so when taking into account the Lakers finished with a season-worst 26 turnovers. Their sloppy play was a point of contention for Walton in his postgame press conference.
In addition to his rebounds and assists, Ball collected five steals. He joined LeBron James and James Harden as the only players this season with at least 10 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals in a single game.
Ball is also one of three players in the last 30 years to record such a stat line prior to turning 21 years old. Chris Paul and John Wall previously accomplished the feat.
“My game is not all scoring,” Ball said. “Whether I score or not, I feel like I can still impact the game multiple ways.”
Ball’s stellar play since returning from a left shoulder sprain has helped quiet some of the unrest that was created by his father’s latest criticism of Walton.
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