Bulls’ Lonzo Ball calls LaMelo-Hornets matchup a ‘blessing’

After being teammates for most of their lives, Lonzo and LaMelo Ball didn’t have much of a chance to face to face. Injuries to both players further limited those opportunities, making Friday night Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets a match of rare opportunity.

Both players opportunity calls to face each other’s “blessing” before the game, according to Bulls insider KC Johnson. The match will be only the fourth time that the two brothers will play against each other, with Lonzo Ball leads on the scoreboard 2-1. Chicago is favored to win the game according to the odds.

Every previous game between the two brothers also took place in the NBA. The two were teammates as long as they were in high school together and never overlapped in college. Lonzo entered the 2017 NBA Draft after just one year at UCLA, while LaMelo opted to play overseas in Lithuania and Australia before entering the 2020 NBA Draft. Both Ball brothers were top three picks in their respective draft classes.

Between the two, LaMelo Ball has the most success in 2024-2025. The Hornets guard is averaging just under 30 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. His numbers are a significant increase from previous years, putting him on track to potentially make another All-Star appearance.

However, there is a legitimate argument that the third brother, LiAngelo Ball, currently has the most success in his career. While not in the NBA, LiAngelo Ball is flourishing as a rapper under the moniker ‘G3’ due to his recent single Tweaker becoming a viral success. The middle brother recently signed a A $13 million deal with Def Jam Recordings.

The Bulls, and the Hornets are looking to get back on track

The playoffs are likely out of reach for the Bulls and Hornets in 2025, but both teams are looking to stay on track heading into Friday night’s matchup. Chicago has the better overall record at 18-23, but Charlotte has momentum on its side, winning two of its last three games.

The Bulls haven’t won a game since beating the Washington Wizards on Jan. 10. They enter the matchup with the Hornets on Friday night for four games, all at home. The game will end the team’s current five-game homestand.

Before winning two of their previous three games, the Hornets snapped a 10-game skid with a 115-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 7. If Charlotte can top the Bulls, a win would give the team just its second winning streak of the season. He has not won more than two games in a row.