Lonzo Ball's Farewell to His First Dog Is a Heartbreaking Surprise for Fans
Lonzo Ball walked onto the Staples Center floor in 2017 carrying the weight of a franchise on his shoulders and a rescue dog named Deuce waiting for him at home.
The rookie point guard had just been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, and to mark the start of his professional journey, he chose a companion that mirrored his new identity.
Sadly, Deuce passed away recently, as reported by Bleacher Report on X.
For Lonzo, Deuce was more than a pet. He showed up at a turning point of his career. The story behind Deuce is what makes his recently passing that much more heartbreaking.
Deuce Ball, dog of Lonzo and the Ball family, has passed away
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2026
Lonzo got Deuce after being drafted by the Lakers and named him after his No. 2 jersey pic.twitter.com/8y5tDOPT7A
Deuce Was More Than a Dog
Before the trades, before the setbacks, before everything that followed, this was where it started.
Lonzo got Deuce right after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. It was the kind of moment most players spend their whole lives chasing. New city, new pressure and a spotlight that never really turned off.
He named the dog Deuce after his No. 2 jersey. Drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, that number carries special meaning for Lonzo. It sounds simple, but it stuck. Fans noticed it because it felt personal, not like a branding move or a throwaway nickname.
One fan put it simply: "I can still remember when he first got Deuce, watching it on Ball in the Family."
That period shaped a lot of Lonzo's career. Early expectations in Los Angeles were heavy. Injuries followed. Then came the trade to New Orleans, another reset, and later Chicago, where he finally found a rhythm before injuries slowed him again.
Through all of that, Deuce was there in the background. Quiet, constant, unchanged.
Dogs Helping Athletes Succeed
There's a reason so many athletes bond deeply with their dogs, especially during transitions. Studies show that interacting with dogs lowers cortisol levels and increases oxytocin, the same hormone tied to trust and connection.
Related: Lindsey Vonn Pens Heartbreaking Goodbye to Beloved Dog Leo
For someone living under constant pressure as the No. 2 pick in the NBA, that kind of relationship matters more than it looks from the outside.
Deuce didn't care about stats, missed deadlines, physical setbacks or a bad game. He only cared that when the door opened, Lonzo came home.
A Tough Week for the Ball Family
Just days before Deuce's passing, LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets were knocked out of the NBA play-in tournament. Another season closed before it really opened.
The Ball family has always carried their stories publicly. LaVar built it that way, and the brothers grew up inside that spotlight. But this week, the losses are quieter and more personal than any box score captures.
LaMelo goes home to an offseason. Lonzo goes home to a house where Deuce no longer is.
Some losses you talk about. Some you just feel when you walk through the door.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM.