LaMelo Ball Fuels Timberwolves’ Hot Start as Hornets Slide

LaMelo Ball’s impact is standing out as Minnesota surges and Charlotte struggles. The Timberwolves have stayed hot even without Anthony Edwards, with Ball fueling their offense and helping the team maintain its winning form. The Hornets, meanwhile, are short-handed and stuck in a scoring slump after parting ways with their former centerpiece. Injuries and other factors matter, but the contrast underscores how much Ball can lift an offense.

• Minnesota is 9-3, has won 5 straight and owns the NBA’s best net rating.
• Charlotte is 4-8 and has lost 7 of its last 8 games.
• The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by 15.5 points per 100 possessions with Ball on the floor and Edwards off it.
• Minnesota’s effective field-goal percentage rises 6.5 percentage points with Ball playing.
• Ball scored 22 points and recorded 9 assists in Thursday’s 133-94 win over Dallas.

Ball isn’t the only reason for the teams’ divergent starts: Charlotte has been hit by injuries to key perimeter players, while Minnesota’s defense and strong fourth-quarter play have also driven its success. The Hornets have also created quality shots but converted them poorly, leaving room for improvement if players return and shooting regresses toward the norm.

• Edwards remains out while recovering from knee surgery, but Minnesota is winning without its leading star.
• Charlotte is missing several key players, including Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Dennis Schröder and Brandon Miller.
• The Hornets are struggling to sustain possessions and rank near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories.

Charlotte’s offense could improve as injured players return and its poor shooting rebounds. Minnesota will look to keep its momentum going while Edwards rehabs, with Ball’s playmaking helping steady the team.

Ball’s arrival has given Minnesota a creative engine that makes teammates more effective; Charlotte’s early struggles show how hard it is to replace that kind of impact.