Charles Lee Bold Call: LaMelo Ball Benched in Crunch Time Amid Hornets Loss to Nets

In a surprising move during Tuesday night’s 116-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee decided to bench star guard LaMelo Ball with just over three and a half minutes remaining in the game. The decision, which came during the Hornets’ second NBA Cup matchup, raised eyebrows, particularly given Ball’s reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic performers in clutch situations.

The benching followed a missed layup by Ball and a frustration foul soon after. When asked about his decision postgame, Lee explained the reasoning behind the strategic move.

“Melo has been phenomenal for us. He’s been great offensively, creating plays and defending,” Lee said. “But tonight, I thought Tre had the hot hand. He was contributing more on both ends of the floor, and I felt that was the right call for us at that moment.”

Lee emphasized that the benching wasn’t a knock on Ball’s overall performance but rather a tactical shift for the team’s best chance to win.

“I think it could be someone different on any given night. If one player has it going, you have to go with them,” Lee added.

Ball has been a standout this season, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he leads the league in scoring with an impressive 10.3 points per game. He’s also shooting 53.3% from the field and 45.7% from beyond the arc in crunch time. Despite his stellar individual numbers, Ball struggled against the Nets, finishing with just 13 points, five assists, and two rebounds while shooting a rough 3-for-13 from the field and committing four turnovers.

In contrast, Tre Mann stepped up in the final moments, scoring 19 points, dishing out six assists, and grabbing three rebounds, helping his case for more minutes during the critical stages of the game. Mann’s late-game impact earned him Lee’s trust in the final minutes, despite Ball’s proven ability to perform in similar situations.

The loss dropped the Hornets to 5-9 on the season, and they remain winless in the NBA Cup, having previously fallen to the Orlando Magic.

Looking ahead, Charlotte will return home for a matchup against the Detroit Pistons (7-9) on Thursday before heading to Milwaukee to face the Bucks (5-9) on Saturday. As the Hornets continue to find their rhythm, Coach Lee’s tough decision may serve as a reminder that in the NBA, no player’s role is ever guaranteed — not even a rising star like LaMelo Ball.