After a lob to Jaden McDaniels, Ball flashed a highlight move and buried a three over Collin Murray‑Boyles (Twitter video). He kept the momentum, adding crowd‑pleasing actions en route to 15 points, eight assists and two steals as Minnesota clinched its third straight win.
“I’m just happy I get front‑row seats to it,” Terrence Shannon Jr. said of Ball’s three. “It was crazy seeing it. I was actually talking to him on the bench after the game. I’m like, ‘That was crazy.'”
The Ball trade sparked debate in Minnesota, especially after parting with fan‑favorite Naz Reid, yet the dynamic guard already feels like a league‑altering asset. In just 16:44 of play he helped the Wolves outscore Toronto by 33 points, injecting fresh excitement and unpredictability. For my money, his arrival instantly upgraded Minnesota’s offense.
“Just get your head up,” Ball urged teammates. “Actually, I tried to hit them in the head a couple times the first day of practice. You get hit once, you keep your head up. That’s how I was as a kid. You don’t want to get hit in the head.”
More Northwest Division news follows:
- Despite roster shifts, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert says his game hasn’t changed, according to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. Now in his 14th season, Gobert remains a top shot‑blocker and rebounder. “My role is the same,” he explained. “I’m here to be the best at what I do, dominate offensively with my running, screening and offensive rebounds.”
- Luka Doncic torched the Jazz for 52 points Sunday, a reminder that Utah must tighten its defense to compete, notes Shreyas Laddha of The Salt Lake Tribune. “These past three years, they’ve moved me around, switched me on, and tried to pick the weakest defender,” Keyonte George said. “It isn’t about one player; we need team defense. All five must make it tough for our opponents.”
- The Trail Blazers displayed deeper scoring in Friday’s win at Sacramento, observes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. Seven players hit double figures, while Donovan Clingan fell just two points short. Can Portland’s newfound depth carry them deeper into the season?