LaMelo Ball made Minnesota’s new-look offense shine when it mattered most. With 34 points and six three-pointers, Ball led the Timberwolves past the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 on Monday night, lifting Minnesota from 4-3 to 5-3. Milwaukee, which arrived at 1-5 trying to build confidence in its young new era, fought back from an early hole but could not keep Minnesota’s waves of energy from crashing down in the second half.

The Wolves jumped ahead fast. Rudy Gobert tipped in a miss for Minnesota’s first basket, then Ball drilled a deep three-pointer after a Milwaukee turnover. Ball added another long shot, and Ayo Dosunmu floated in a short jumper as Minnesota built a 10-2 lead. Milwaukee answered with three-pointers from Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Brayden Burries, and Myles Turner, cutting the gap to 15-13. Yet Ball stayed in control, scoring 13 first-quarter points as Minnesota carried a 29-18 lead into the second period.

Milwaukee’s bench brought the game back to life. Guard A.J. Green hit three straight three-pointers across the second quarter, while guard Ryan Rollins and Burries helped the Bucks climb within 31-28. The comeback mattered because Minnesota’s early shooting spark had cooled. Ball responded with a driving layup and two more threes, but Tyler Herro buried a three-pointer and then a running jumper just before halftime. Suddenly, Minnesota’s once-comfortable lead was only 48-47.

Turner opened the third quarter with a three to put Milwaukee ahead, 50-48. His five blocks also made the paint a difficult place for Minnesota to attack. But the Timberwolves did not rush. Dosunmu drove for layups, Gobert finished a dunk, and Ball scored inside to push Minnesota back in front, 58-55.

The key stretch came late in the third. Green’s three and forward Nate Ament’s layup gave Milwaukee a 69-68 lead. Then Minnesota’s supporting cast changed the game. Forward Trey Lyles made two free throws, a short turnaround shot, and a three-pointer. Guard Hyland added a floater, and Jonathan Kuminga scored inside. Minnesota won the final minutes of the quarter and took an 80-76 lead.

In the fourth, Minnesota turned hustle into separation. Forward Joan Beringer grabbed six offensive rebounds for the game, setting up extra chances, and assisted on two early Jaden McDaniels baskets. A Jaylen Clark three made it 87-79, and Beringer’s dunk soon stretched the lead to 89-79. Milwaukee could not recover. Ball’s three with 4:59 left made it 96-81, a clear finishing blow.

Dosunmu powered the win with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while Gobert added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Minnesota won the rebound battle 59-53 and collected 21 offensive rebounds, showing the effort behind the final score. Herro scored 21 points and Jaquez added 19 for Milwaukee, but the Bucks committed 16 turnovers. Minnesota next faces Houston, while Milwaukee heads to Boston still searching for a steadier chapter in its rebuild.

LaMelo Ball Lights the Way as Timberwolves Turn Back Milwaukee