Jazz C Rudy Gobert Blocks Dunk Attempt By Hornets Rookie LaMelo Ball

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert blocked Charlotte Hornets rookie and third overall pick LaMelo Ball early in the first quarter on Monday.

Rudy Gobert blocked any chance LaMelo Ball had of a dunk with 9:39 remaining in the first quarter at Vivint Arena. Former Jazzman Gordon Hayward collected the rebound from the rejection by Gobert and made a jumpshot.

Hornets point guard Terry Rozier was going to go up for a layup when he dished it to Ball. The rookie looked like he was going to get a left-handed slam when the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year stuffed it.

don't worry, it's a rite of passage#TakeNote | @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/cd70ss63N2

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 23, 2021

Mike Conley and Royce O’Neale had a pair of three-pointers early for the Jazz. Hayward had 7 points early for his new team. With 6:52 remaining in the opening quarter, Ball was scoreless on two shot attempts.

When these two teams met earlier this season on February 5, Ball had a career-high 34 points to go with 8 assists. Hayward added 25 points. Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Bojan Bogdanovic had 31 to lead the Jazz, while Donovan Mitchell chipped in 30 points. The Jazz beat the Hornets 138-121.

The Jazz will finish their two-game homestand on Wednesday, February 24 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. MST on ESPN.