While Zach LaVine continues to boost the Chicago Bulls with his scoring heroics, Lonzo Ball has provided a welcome jolt as a secondary option.
Ball enters Tuesday’s visit from the New Orleans Pelicans coming off consecutive double-figure scoring efforts for the first time this season.
He is accelerating his contribution amid a minutes restriction related to long-term left knee pain and an early-season wrist injury.
On Sunday, Ball made his first start since the 2021-22 season, swishing a season-high five 3-pointers while scoring 15 points in a 124-119 home loss to Sacramento.
“Thankful for everybody that stuck with me, appreciative of the organization for riding with me the whole way and just seeing it all come full circle,” Ball said. “Long season to go but definitely a step in the right direction.”
Injuries to fellow ballhandlers Coby White (neck) and Ayo Dosunmu (calf) — both questionable for Tuesday — helped pave the way for Ball to start against the Kings. He matched LaVine, who has scored 30 points or more in a career-best six straight games, with five treys.
Ball opened Chicago’s five-game homestand Friday with 12 points on four 3s in a 138-105 rout of Washington. He has connected on 60 percent of his attempts from long range (9-for-15) over the past two games.
New Orleans brings just eight victories to the United Center, the fewest in the Western Conference, but players feel optimistic about their potential in the second half of the season as the team returns to health.
Sunday’s visit to Boston marked the first time New Orleans had Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy in the same lineup this season. The Pelicans took the reigning NBA champion Celtics to the wire in a 120-119 loss, as CJ McCollum’s potential game-winning bank shot at the buzzer went off the rim.
Murphy drilled five 3-pointers on his way to a team-best 30 points, showing little rust from a sprained ankle that had sidelined him for the past three games. He has finished with at least 30 points in three of the last six games.
“Trey is stepping up,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “He’s assuming a bigger role. It’s really good to see. We knew he had the ability to score at a higher clip and he’s doing that. He’s also defending and rebounding and sharing the basketball. So it’s really good to see Trey step into his role. It’s much needed for our group.”
The Pelicans also are hoping for sustained success from Williamson, who has played in only eight of the team’s first 40 games. Back in the mix Sunday following a one-game suspension for being late to team activities, Williamson contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
To Green, the steals indicate Williamson’s “activity was pretty high,” an attribute the team wants.
New Orleans defeated visiting Chicago 123-111 in the season opener Oct. 23 behind 33 points from Brandon Ingram, who remains out with an ankle sprain.
LaVine has scored 30 points or more in five of his last 10 games against the Pelicans.
Chicago leads the all-time series 27-22 but the teams have split the past 10 meetings.
–Field Level Media
