LaMelo Ball scored 20 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Houston Rockets 117-107 on Wednesday. Head coach Chris Finch praised Ball’s growing leadership and ability to control games following Anthony Edwards’ injury.
“He’s just so talented. It’s, you know, you put the ball in his hands down the stretch and he just made the right play after the right play after the right play,” Finch said after the game.
Ball finished with 20 points, six assists and three steals, helping Minnesota improve to 6-3 despite missing Edwards, who is expected to be sidelined for up to two months following arthroscopic knee surgery.
Finch explained that Ball initially focused on setting up his teammates and developing chemistry with Edwards before taking on more scoring responsibility.
“Ant goes out, we need him to be more aggressive in all the ways. You know, obviously playmaking, but also, you know, for himself to score,” Finch said.
The Timberwolves coach also praised Ball’s defensive improvement, particularly his ability to avoid foul trouble.
“He’s been fighting his tail off on defense. He stayed out of foul trouble for a couple games now. And he was, you know, it’s huge. We’re lucky to have him,” Finch added.
Jonathan Kuminga played a major role in Minnesota’s victory, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He scored key baskets during the closing stretch, including three-pointers that helped the Timberwolves protect their lead.
Finch explained that Minnesota initially wanted Kuminga to focus on rebounding, defense and doing the less visible work before giving him more freedom offensively.
“We asked him when he got here, we knew we needed to be our dirty work guy. Like, you know, run the floor, get rebounds, guard at a high level. Just be some connective tissue out there,” Finch said.
However, the coaching staff also encouraged Kuminga to remain confident in his shooting.
“We also told him to stay really confident in your shot. When you’re open, let it fly. You know, we trust your game offensively,” Finch explained.
“He’s shooting really shooting the lights out for us right now because he’s getting good shots in the flow of the offense with his feet set. And they just they all feel like they’re going to go in.”
The Timberwolves coach also stressed the importance of Wednesday’s victory in a competitive Western Conference, where a small number of wins could separate teams fighting for playoff positioning.
“In the West, in the league right now, the difference between maybe a play-in game and, you know, sixth spot or who could even be fourth spot might be a game or two,” Finch said.
“We’ve been trying to reinvent ourselves since Anthony went down. And every time you get a win like this, it builds confidence in what you’re trying to do.”
Minnesota will look to build on its 6-3 start when it visits the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 6.
