{"id":852182,"date":"2026-10-06T11:36:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/852182\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T11:36:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:36:18","slug":"anthony-edwards-wasnt-ready-for-what-lamelo-ball-did-in-timberwolves-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/852182\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthony Edwards Wasn\u2019t Ready for What LaMelo Ball Did in Timberwolves Debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Timberwolves had plenty to like about LaMelo Ball\u2019s first preseason appearance. He made two 3-pointers, handed out three assists and helped Minnesota cruise to a 116-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> on Monday night.<\/p>\n

But Anthony Edwards came away most impressed by something that does not show up in the box score: Ball was loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was great tonight,\u201d Edwards said after the game. \u201cY\u2019all know. He plays like his hair is on fire. He gets everybody involved. He talked more than I expected throughout the game. That\u2019s another big one for me, especially because I love people who talk. Let us know what you see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ant on LaMelo: “He was great tonight. Y’all know. He plays like his hair is on fire. He gets everybody involved. He talked more than I expected throughout the game. That’s another big one for me, especially because I love people who talk. Let us know what you see.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Wolves did not acquire Ball simply to give Edwards another gifted scorer alongside him.<\/p>\n

They needed someone to run the show, a full-time offensive organizer \u2014 willing to push the pace, see passing windows others cannot and, just as importantly, communicate what he sees in real time. If Ball can bring that kind of command to the floor, it could ease some of the decision-making burden Edwards has carried during his rise into one of the NBA\u2019s premier perimeter stars.<\/p>\n

\"NBA:Apr 14, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) moves the ball during the second half during the play-in rounds between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Ball logged 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in just under 17 minutes against Milwaukee, per the official NBA box score<\/a>. It was a small sample, and preseason results should always come with that qualifier. Furthermore, the result or the numbers don\u2019t particularly matter. Still, Minnesota\u2019s new starting group looked comfortable quickly, and that certainly does matter.<\/p>\n

Edwards scored 14 points in 18 minutes, while Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert each made positive contributions in limited run. The Wolves\u2019 starters carried a 60-48 halftime advantage before Chris Finch spread the minutes around in the second half.<\/p>\n

The most encouraging part was that Ball did not appear content to simply blend in during his first game in a new uniform. He hunted his own shot when opportunities arose, including his first Timberwolves 3-pointer<\/a>, but also kept the offense moving and stayed engaged vocally.<\/p>\n

That is relevant for a team undergoing a major identity change.<\/p>\n

\"timberwolves\"Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) reacts after a basket against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Minnesota spent the offseason reshaping its roster around Edwards. Ball\u2019s arrival gives the Wolves a true point guard with the creativity to unlock easier looks for Edwards, Gobert and the team\u2019s collection of athletic wings. Kuminga\u2019s addition gives Ball another transition target and cutter, while Gobert should benefit from having a high-level passer who can consistently find him near the rim.<\/p>\n

The chemistry will take time. Ball acknowledged as much after the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the more we play, the easier and easier it\u2019s going to get and the more and more chemistry we\u2019re going to get,\u201d Ball said<\/a>. \u201cBut that being the first game, and the little practices we got under our belt, I think it was solid.\u201d<\/p>\n

That is the appropriate read on one exhibition game. Nobody should crown the Wolves because they beat Milwaukee in early October.<\/p>\n

Yet Edwards\u2019 reaction is meaningful because it addresses one of the biggest questions surrounding this new-look group: How quickly will its new guards develop a shared rhythm and leadership structure?<\/p>\n

Edwards<\/a> is clearly still the franchise\u2019s centerpiece. But he does not need to be the only player setting the tone, directing traffic and creating every difficult look. Ball\u2019s passing has always attracted attention. His willingness to talk, challenge teammates and lead in the moment may prove just as valuable.<\/p>\n

One preseason game did not answer every question about Minnesota\u2019s retooled roster. It did show Edwards something he did not fully anticipate \u2014 and something the Timberwolves could need when the games begin to count.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Minnesota Timberwolves had plenty to like about LaMelo Ball\u2019s first preseason appearance. He made two 3-pointers, handed…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":852183,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3777],"tags":[375,7,684,473,3878,685,966,6],"class_list":["post-852182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-charlotte-hornets","tag-anthony-edwards","tag-basketball","tag-charlotte","tag-charlotte-hornets","tag-charlottehornets","tag-hornets","tag-lamelo-ball","tag-nba"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/117393764543138628","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=852182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/852183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=852182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=852182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=852182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}