Jonathan Kuminga’s transition into a new role with the Minnesota Timberwolves has gone a lot smoother than plenty of people expected, and LaMelo Ball has been a major reason why.
That fit was one of the offseason’s bigger questions. Kuminga had a reputation for leaning into tough shotmaking, and there were real concerns that he might crowd the offense instead of blending into it.
His time with the Golden State Warriors had already shown how tricky it could be for him to settle into a more complementary job. But with Minnesota, he’s taken to it well.
He’s playing as a low-usage finisher on offense, bringing elite defense, and looking far more comfortable than the skeptics thought he would.
Ball’s playmaking has been the engine behind a lot of that success. He’s getting Kuminga easy finishes at the rim, clean looks from deep, and plenty of chances to attack with space because of the attention he draws. The result has been a pairing that looks natural, with Ball smoothing out Kuminga’s adjustment instead of forcing him into awkward spots.
Thursday’s 133-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks offered the clearest snapshot yet of how well the two are working together. Five of Ball’s nine assists went to Kuminga, and the connection showed up in a few different ways: cuts to the basket, a spot-up 3-pointer, and some action in the pick-and-roll. Kuminga’s athleticism and ability to run the floor fit neatly next to Ball, who likes to push tempo and make quick decisions.
Ball’s passing on drives has also helped open the floor for Kuminga from outside. That has played a part in Kuminga shooting a career-best 40.4 percent from beyond the arc.
There were already questions about his shot selection, but there were also fair doubts about how he would space the floor next to Rudy Gobert. Ball has gone a long way toward easing those concerns.
And it’s not only the passes that matter. Ball’s playmaking creates a chain reaction, including hockey assists that end up benefiting Kuminga.
He keeps his teammates in mind constantly, and he has a feel for when someone needs a shot. That has helped keep Minnesota’s usage balanced and given Kuminga a steady role in the offense.
Ball’s gravity matters just as much. Defenses are so locked in on stopping him as a scorer and 3-point threat that it opens the door for everyone else.
Sometimes that means space for Kuminga to cut. Other times it means defenders simply lose track of him on the perimeter.
Either way, Ball is making the game easier for him.
Kuminga is doing his part as an awesome complementary piece. But there’s no question that LaMelo has made the whole process much smoother.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Defense Just Earned The Kind Of Respect Fans Notice
Before the game, the Timberwolves got a familiar kind of respect from the other sideline: a coach talking up Minnesotas defense before having to deal with it. Dusty May pointed to the Wolves one-on-one guarding and the way Rudy Gobert anchors everything behind it, which is the sort of praise that usually comes only after a team has spent enough time making life miserable for opponents. It also fits the broader reputation Minnesota has built around a defense that can hold up even when the matchups get tough.
Chris Finch, meanwhile, was already focused on the next challenge, discussing how Minnesota would try to contain Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. That is the balancing act for the Wolves now, because the defense has become a calling card, but it still has to travel from reputation to execution every night. And when an opposing coach is openly acknowledging how hard it is to score against them, it says plenty about how far that side of the floor has come. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Are Already Showing Why This New-Look Group Feels Different
A new-look Timberwolves group wasted little time making a statement at Target Center, rolling past Dallas by 39 points in a game that looked lopsided from the opening stretches. LaMelo Ball gave Minnesota the kind of steady offensive push that can make a reshaped roster feel instantly more coherent, finishing with 22 points, nine assists and two steals while keeping the attack moving and the pressure on.
What stood out just as much was the way Minnesota handled the other end. Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert helped set the tone defensively, and the Wolves made life difficult for Cooper Flagg throughout the night, never letting Dallas find much rhythm around its young centerpiece. For a team still defining its identity, this was the sort of performance that suggested the pieces may fit faster than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Cooper Flagg Gave Mavericks Fans One Bright Spot In Minnesota
Cooper Flagg gave Dallas one of the few bright moments in Minnesota, flashing the athleticism that keeps him such a compelling part of the Mavericks future even as the game tilted hard in the Timberwolves favor. The rookies burst stood out in a matchup that quickly got away from Dallas, but Minnesota kept control behind a strong all-around performance and kept rolling in a stretch that has the group playing with real confidence.
LaMelo Ball was at the center of it for the Timberwolves, helping turn the night into another statement win while Dallas was left to sort through the bigger picture. The Mavericks should look different when Kyrie Irving returns, but the schedule does not ease up, with Cleveland and Boston next, and those games will offer a much clearer read on where this team stands once it gets healthier. [Read more 🡒]