LaMelo Ball's Halfcourt Shot Foreshadowed His Wolves Debut

After months of anticipation, Minnesota Timberwolves fans finally got to see what LaMelo Ball can bring to this team. It didn’t take long to notice his impact on the court. When the whistle blew 2 seconds into the game, he threw it up from halfcourt.

Of course, it went in.

LaMelo logo 3 two seconds into the game 😂

It didn't count but LaMelo's already being himself in Minnesota 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pcWKeSi5uL

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 6, 2026

Ball’s shot subtly foreshadowed how the night would unfold as the Timberwolves handled a younger, Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks team 116-97.

LaMelo’s first real shot of the night came a few minutes later, when he knocked down a three on a pass from Jaden McDaniels from the top of the key. On the next possession, Ball found Anthony Edwards on the wing for another three.

Milwaukee immediately called a timeout. It was probably the exact type of sequence Wolves fans have been waiting months to see. Having two of the NBA’s best shooters in one game is a cheat code. It will benefit the Ant-LaMelo duo and simplify everyone else’s offensive role.

Anthony Edwards finished the night with 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes. Meanwhile, LaMelo had 11 points with only 6 shots, four rebounds, and three assists in just under 17 minutes.

Other than Ant’s 3-point shots looking a little flat – he ended up 1-for-7 – I liked what I saw from Ant in the midrange game, and you could tell he was serious about getting his defense going. He had an amazing sequence where he got a block and then took it the other way for an and-one.

But it wasn’t just the new backcourt duo making plays.

Jonathan Kuminga gave Wolves fans another reason to get excited in the second quarter when Bones Hyland jumped a passing lane and took off in transition. Hyland looked up and threw the ball toward the rim, and Kuminga came flying in for a majestic alley-oop slam.

Ant hilariously looked like he couldn’t believe what he had just seen. He must’ve finally realized how others felt watching him take people’s souls the last couple of years.

Kuminga finished with eight points and showcased the athleticism he can bring to a Wolves team that already has plenty of it. He fit well with the team. On the first play of the game, he did a pick-and-roll with LaMelo and easily got a layup. He should get multiple looks like that every single night with the gravity LaMelo and Ant create.

Rudy Gobert also finished an alley-oop from Edwards, who’s looking to become a more consistent passer, and Minnesota pushed its lead to 15. Jaden McDaniels also had a strong night, finishing with nine points on an efficient 4-for-5 shooting, including a three. Minnesota eventually took a 60-48 lead into halftime.

The Bucks pushed in the third quarter after Minnesota’s starting five was done for the night, tying the game at 74, but the Wolves responded and pulled away again in the fourth.

Joan Beringer was a bright spot in the second half, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes. Antonio Reeves was also perfect from the field, going 5 for 5 and finishing with 12 points, so nice to see if there’s a little more there from him.

That balance was probably just as encouraging as anything LaMelo Ball did.

The four Wolves reached double figures, with Jaden and Kuminga getting 9 and 8 in limited minutes as well, which meant Edwards didn’t have to carry the offense for 30 or 35 minutes just to get Minnesota across the finish line.

Obviously, this was only one preseason game against a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo and a bunch of rookies and non-star players. Nobody should be making sweeping conclusions from one night.

But the Wolves got exactly what they wanted from their first look at LaMelo Ball.

They got another shooter. They got another playmaker. And, most importantly, they got a small glimpse of what the Ant and LaMelo duo can look like together.