Video: Hornets' LaMelo Ball Receives 'MVP' Chants Opening Night

LaMelo Ball, don't disappoint, your fan base is expecting an NBA MVP season in 2021-22. The Charlotte Hornets point-guard had a huge opening night against the Indiana Pacers, and during his trip to the line, fans started chanting "MVP"!

A touch early? Perhaps, but it shows you what type of player Hornets' fans think Ball can become or is, for that matter. He would go on to shine for the Hornets opening night as he finished the game with 31 points, including seven three-balls, to go along with nine boards and seven dimes. It was a huge game for the sophomore as he wants to keep progressing his development in the league and wants to shy away from the second-year slump.

As for some game notes:

Ball scored 12 points in the third-period run and finished with nine rebounds and seven assists. Gordon Hayward scored 27 for Charlotte, which got 14 each from newcomers Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ish Smith. Miles Bridges had 13 and Cody Martin 10 for the Hornets, who played without last year’s leading scorer Terry Rozier.

Borrego said pregame that Rozier would test his sprained left ankle and undergo tests before the team would determine his status. He was ruled out shortly before tipoff.

Sabonis scored 33 points with 15 rebounds, Malcolm Brogdon had 28, and Chris Duarte chipped in with 27 for Indiana, which had a 21-point lead early in the second half. Justin Holiday added 11 for the Pacers.

MVP, MVP, MVP...

LaMelo Ball getting “MVP! MVP!” chants from the Hornets crowd

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— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 21, 2021