On November 2, 2026, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 in Minneapolis. LaMelo Ball scored 34 points to secure the victory at the Target Center.
LaMelo Ball's 34-point surge fills the Anthony Edwards void
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently navigating a significant roster challenge, as star player Anthony Edwards is sidelined for at least two months following an arthroscopic procedure. In his absence, the Timberwolves have had to pivot their offensive strategy, a move that culminated in a career-defining night for guard LaMelo Ball.
According to the report, head coach Taylor Jenkins opted to start LaMelo Ball on Monday night, marking the veteran's first start of the season. Ball responded with a highly efficient performance, shooting 12-for-21 from the field and 6-for-13 from beyond the arc.. By recording 24 points in the first half alone, LaMelo Ball provided the Minnesota Timberwolves with an early cushion that proved insurmountable for the opposition.
The 1-6 slide and Milwaukee's fourth-quarter collapse
For the Milwaukee Bucks, this loss is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend. The defeat drops the Milwaukee Bucks to a 1-6 record for the 2026-2027 season, highlighting a recurring inability to maintain momentum deep into the game. As the report notes, the Bucks frequently play competitive basketball for three quarters only to falter in the final frame.
The collapse was most evident in the fourth quarter, where the Minnesota Timberwolves outscored the Milwaukee Bucks 32-24. A critical failure in rebounding plagued the Milwaukee Bucks, who allowed nine offensive rebounds in the final period, leading to ten second-chance points for Minnesota. this lack of defensive discipline in the closing minutes has become the defining characteristic of Milwaukee's poor start to the season.
Brayden Burries' first start and Tyler Herro's 21 points
The game served as a trial by fire for rookie guard Brayden Burries, who made his first career start for the Milwaukee Bucks. While Burries showed offensive aggression by taking 11 shots in the first half, his efficiency was lacking. He finished the night with nine points and nine rebounds, though he struggled significantly from deep, shooting just 1-for-7 (14.3 percent) from three-point range.
While the rookie struggled, Tyler Herro provided a steadier hand for the Milwaukee Bucks. Herro led the team with 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals, shooting 44.4 percent from the field. However, as the offense stagnated in the fourth quarter, Herro's individual efforts were insufficient to overcome the collective defensive lapses of the Milwaukee squad.
Who can fix the Bucks' 22.2 percent three-point shooting?
A glaring issue remains for the Milwaukee Bucks: their perimeter inefficiency. In this matchup, the Bucks managed a dismal 22.2 percent success rate on nine three-point attempts, while the Minnesota Timberwolves shot 33.3 percent from long range. The source does not specify whether this slump is due to a lack of shot creation or a systemic failure in the Bucks' offensive sets.
Furthermore, it remains unclear how the Milwaukee Bucks intend to address their rebounding deficit. With the team consistently giving up second-chance points in crunch time, the question is whether the current rotation can survive until the season stabilizes, or if further roster adjustments are necessary to avoid a total collapse of their 2026-2027 campaign.
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