Ball has triple-double, Hornets hand Spurs 14th loss in row

CHARLOTTE,N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball had 28 points, 10 assists and a season-high12 rebounds and the Charlotte Hornets beat San Antonio 120-110 onWednesday night to send the Spurs into the NBA All-Star break witha franchise-record 14-game losing streak.

The21-year-old Ball became the second-youngest player in NBA historyto reach 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in hiscareer.

“He is anultra-talented player for sure,” Hornets swingman Gordon Haywardsaid. “Great vision for sure and he’s all over the court. (Withrebounding) he has an special ability to be in the right place atthe right time. ... He’s obviously a great player already and Ithink he will continue to grow into an even better one.”

When toldabout the accomplishment Ball immediately correctly guessed thatLeBron James was the only player younger than him to reach thatpinnacle.

“I don’t liketo trip to up with that stuff,” Ball said of being on the same listas James. “I just go out and try to get win after win.”

For Ball, itwas his third triple-double of the season and franchise-leadingninth overall.

The Hornetsgot another solid contribution from P.J. Washington, who had 22points and 10 rebounds, and rookie Mark Williams added 12 points,10 rebounds and four blocked shots as Charlotte won its secondstraight game.

The Hornetshad 12 blocks in all, including five by backup center NickRichards.

For years thePanthers have sought a rim protector — and now it appears they havetwo young and capable shot blockers in 7-footers Williams andRichards.

“What theyboth do is make exceptional plays because of their size andathleticism,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “What they need todo now on top of that is less mistakes and not giving possessionsaway. If they do that we will be in good shape and they will betoo.”

MalakiBranham had 23 points and Keldon Johnson added 21 points for theSpurs, who have not won on the road since beating Houston on Dec.19. Doug McDermott added 17 points on five 3s.

The Hornetsled 60-57 at halftime behind Ball, who nearly had a triple-doublebefore the break with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assistswhile seeing extra minutes with backcourt mate Terry Rozier outwith knee soreness.

Charlottelooked like it might pull away in the fourth quarter, but McDermottled the Spurs back with back-to-back 3-pointers and short jumper tocut the lead to one.

But newlyacquired guard Svi Mykhailiuk, playing in his first game with theHornets, sparked a Charlotte run by burying a jumper from thecorner to help push the lead back to six with five minutesremaining.

Ball’s fifth3-pointer of the game with two minutes remaining pushed the leadback to nine and Washington’s offensive rebound and resounding dunkwith 59 seconds left sealed the win.

“At somepoint, you have to take pride in what you’re doing execution wiseand competitively,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “That startswith defense and we really sucked. That’s on me when I think we’restarting to improve on it, and we go back two steps, so that’ssomething I’m going to have to think about, figure out how I’mgoing to be able to motivate them better.”

TIPINS

Spurs: Shot38.3% from the field.

Hornets:Dennis Smith Jr. got the start for Rozier, who was held out withknee soreness. ... Svi Mykhailiuk saw his first action since beingacquired in a trade. He scored his first basket on an alley-oopfrom Ball after a backdoor cut.