NBA fans shared a similar reaction Tuesday night while watching LaMelo Ball nearly cost the Charlotte Hornets their play-in game against the Miami Heat.
Many were reminded of Cayden Boozer, who had a costly turnover in Duke’s Elite Eight loss to UConn. On social media, especially X, fans quickly drew comparisons between the two moments, with posts flooding in within minutes.
Boozer’s miscue came at a critical time, as he lost possession against UConn, leading to Braylon Mullins hitting a dramatic game-winning shot in the NCAA Tournament regional final.
Ball found himself in a similar situation—he turned the ball over while up by two points and then fouled Tyler Herro on a three-point attempt with under 10 seconds remaining.
The key difference, though, was what happened next. Unlike Boozer, Ball had enough time to recover—and he did just that by knocking down the game-winning shot himself.
For Boozer, the moment still lingers. It may take time before he gets another opportunity on a stage like March Madness to redeem himself. Until then, comparisons and criticism are likely to follow, though Ball’s bounce-back moment offers a clear example of how quickly redemption can come in basketball.
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