LaMelo Ball got his first taste of Target Center as a Timberwolf on Sunday, and he liked what he heard. Minnesota beat the Toronto Raptors 117-94 in its home opener to move to 3-0, as reported by ClutchPoints.
Foul trouble held Melo to 16 minutes, but he still put up 15 points and knocked down 4 of 5 from deep. Anthony Edwards led the way with 26 points in 27 minutes, Jaden McDaniels added 14 points, six boards and three blocks, and Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds as Minnesota won the glass 49-34.
Asked what the fan support has meant, Ball kept it short: “I mean, it means a lot. I just love being here.” He added, “Minnesota, amazing, so we’re going to keep going.”
The IAHHM Take
For Carolina, this one stings a little. Melo was the face of the Hornets, the flashiest thing to happen in Charlotte hoops in years. Then came June’s four-team deal: Minnesota got Ball and Josh Green, Charlotte got Naz Reid and draft picks, and Julius Randle landed in Brooklyn. Ball still has three years left on his five-year, $203.9 million contract, and now he’s spending them next to Ant.
The early returns say the fit is real. Two shot creators who play with flair, both with sneaker-culture star power, both comfortable in big moments. If the Wolves keep winning, this could be the most entertaining backcourt in the league.
Hornets fans, be real with us: are you happy for Melo, or does seeing him smile in Minnesota hurt? And who won that trade so far?
Minnesota’s next test comes Monday in Cleveland. For more NBA storylines, check out Devin Booker’s record 43-point home opener and the rest of our Sports coverage.
Source: ClutchPoints
