LaMelo Ball started his Minnesota Timberwolves career with 21 points and six assists in a 131-106 win over the Miami Heat. Anthony Edwards scored 45 points, and Minnesota made 21 three-pointers to beat Miami by 25 points. But one shot from LaMelo’s debut drew attention because his footwork broke the NBA’s traveling rule.
With the score tied at 39 in the second quarter, LaMelo stepped backward several times before making a three-pointer. The referees allowed the basket, but his older brother, Lonzo Ball, spotted the violation. The NBA’s referees later confirmed that LaMelo had taken too many steps.
Lonzo Calls Out LaMelo Ball’s Travel, and the NBA Agrees
Lonzo posted “Travel lmaoooo” on X after watching the play. His short message mocked his younger brother’s footwork, and the league’s referees later reached the same conclusion.
The NBA Referees Association explained that LaMelo gathered the ball with his right foot on the floor. Under the rule, he could take two steps, moving left and then right. Instead, he took four steps after gathering the ball.
For everyone asking, “how is this legal?” It’s not! He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels. https://t.co/dSitGeRNSD
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) October 22, 2026
The officials missed the violation during the game, so the three-pointer counted. The referees’ explanation confirmed that the basket should have been ruled out. Lonzo identified the mistake before the league publicly explained why the move was illegal.
LaMelo Ball Defends His Footwork After the Game
LaMelo argued that his movement was legal when ESPN asked him about Lonzo’s post. He said he let the ball guide his movement without touching it, which he believed allowed him to take extra steps.
That explanation did not match the referees’ ruling. Their review focused on when LaMelo gained control of the ball, not on how he moved it afterward. Once he gathered the ball, he could take only two steps before shooting. He took four.
LaMelo also turned the exchange into a family joke, accusing Lonzo of hating on him. He added, “Even if I’m wrong, I’m right.” The joke kept the interview light, but it did not address the referees’ explanation of the traveling violation.
Minnesota Won Without Needing the Extra Three
LaMelo’s three-pointer put Minnesota ahead 42-39 with 8:19 left in the second quarter. The basket should not have counted, but the Timberwolves won 131-106, so the missed call did not decide the game.
Minnesota’s three-point barrage in the opener included 21 made threes, while Miami made only eight. Edwards scored 45 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, giving the Timberwolves far more scoring than LaMelo’s disputed basket provided. Minnesota also led 69-59 at halftime and kept control after the break.
The referees should still have called the travel. A missed violation remains a mistake even when a team wins by 25 points. Minnesota’s shooting and Edwards’ scoring helped the team build a lead that Miami could not overcome.
LaMelo Ball Starts His Timberwolves Career On a High
LaMelo finished his first game with Minnesota with 21 points and six assists. He also recorded two rebounds and two steals.
The result was a strong start for Minnesota’s new Edwards-Ball pairing. LaMelo scored and set up teammates, while Edwards carried the scoring load. That strong dynamic somewhat helps explain Edwards’ outlandish point guard claim, as Ball allows him to focus more on scoring.
Of course, one game cannot establish how the two guards will perform over a full season, but both contributed to the opening-night win.
The Last Word
LaMelo will need to keep producing against defenses that have more time to prepare for Minnesota. His debut showed that he could score and pass in the Timberwolves’ offense. The traveling violation was a clear mistake, but it did not erase his 21 points or change the result.
Minnesota needs to figure out how to make LaMelo and Edwards work together. LaMelo can make things easier for Edwards by creating open shots, but he has to make smart decisions when the defense gets tough.
He looks good right now, but he has to prove it against better teams that try to lock down his path to the basket.
Featured Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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