LaMelo Ball scored a season-high 34 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 112-100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, Nov. 2. After the game, Ball praised Trey Lyles’ basketball IQ and explained how their chemistry helps Minnesota play at a faster pace.
“I love Trey. He know how to play basketball,” Ball said. “I tell him every day like, ‘Oh, yeah, you one of them ones who know how to play basketball.’ So, whenever you had that on the floor, it just really make it easier.”
Lyles finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting in 21 minutes. Ball said their ability to play quickly has helped the connection develop.
“Pretty much just chemistry and, like I said, I like to play fast and he faster than no other,” Ball said. “So he like a track star out there. So, yeah, just whenever I see him in an open lane pretty much I try to get him going.”
Ball also credited Lyles with helping the rest of the team find its rhythm.
“He was a connector. He can get people going. He always can get himself going,” Ball said. “He know how to slip and hit shots. He just, like I said, know how to play basketball, so make it easy.”
Ball’s 34 points came on 12-of-21 shooting, including six three-pointers. He scored 24 points in the first half, matching his previous season high for an entire game, and became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career three-pointers, doing so in 311 games.
Asked how he found his offensive rhythm, Ball kept his answer simple.
“Pretty much just going with what the coaches said with the game plan and everything and just trying to start off aggressive and, you know, make a way,” he said.
Ball was listed as questionable before the game with a right wrist contusion but played 33 minutes. Asked whether the injury bothered him, he replied: “I mean, it’s just life. I mean, you know, keep going.”
He also explained that his availability was decided after discussions with the team.
“We just had some calls today and just like, I’m going to the game. Might as well play,” Ball said. “So, I ain’t going to sit that much.”
Ball also praised Rudy Gobert’s behind-the-head touch pass during the game, crediting the center’s own ball-handling ability.
“No, that’s him. That’s all Big R, man. R got his little guard skills getting to it,” Ball said.
Minnesota improved to 5-3 with the victory and will visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
