LaMelo Ball scored a season-high 34 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 on Monday night at Target Center in Minneapolis, pulling away in the fourth quarter to improve to 5-3 while Milwaukee fell to 1-6. Ball made 12 of 21 shots, including six three-pointers, and added six rebounds and three assists in his best scoring night of the young season.

Key Points

• LaMelo Ball scored 34 points on 12-for-21 shooting, with six three-pointers, as Minnesota beat Milwaukee 112-100.
• Ayo Dosunmu posted 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
• Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 21 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points and eight rebounds.
• Minnesota outscored Milwaukee 32-24 in the fourth quarter, opening the period with an 11-3 run.
• The Bucks fell to 1-6 after a third straight defeat, despite rookie Brayden Burries making his first career start.

What Happened

Minnesota started fast, leading 29-18 after the first quarter, but Milwaukee fought back with a 29-19 second quarter to trail by just one point at half-time, 48-47. The Timberwolves edged ahead again in the third quarter and took an 80-76 lead into the fourth, then seized control immediately. Six points from Jaden McDaniels helped spark an 11-3 run that turned a four-point lead into a 12-point advantage, and a Ball three-pointer midway through the quarter pushed the margin to 96-81. Milwaukee never got closer than nine points again, as Minnesota closed out a game that had looked far more comfortable in the opening minutes than it did for much of the night.

Background: A Bucks Side Searching for Answers

Milwaukee arrived in Minneapolis at 1-5 and searching for a spark, and head coach Taylor Jenkins made his first lineup change of the season, moving rookie Brayden Burries into the starting five in place of Ryan Rollins. Burries, starting for the first time in his NBA career, finished with nine points and nine rebounds, but shot just 4 of 15 from the field. The Bucks also played without the rhythm they have shown in flashes: they committed 16 turnovers that led to 20 Timberwolves points, and although they grabbed 19 second-chance points, they shot a season-worst 38.4 percent from the field. It was, however, the first Milwaukee defeat in which the Bucks did not concede at least 127 points, a small sign of defensive progress in a difficult start.

Timberwolves Beat Bucks Behind Ball's Season-High Night

Ball set the tone early, scoring 24 points in the first half on 9-for-15 shooting, including five three-pointers, and he finished with six rebounds and three assists. Dosunmu was superb in support, recording 19 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Gobert's double-double gave Minnesota control of the glass. McDaniels added 13 points, and the Timberwolves' fourth-quarter burst showed the value of their depth: when Milwaukee's challenge faded, Minnesota had fresh legs and shot-makers to stretch the lead. Minnesota also played without Terrence Shannon Jr., who missed the game with a left hip contusion, yet still found enough scoring to win without its usual full rotation.

Reactions and Quotes

The story of the night in Minneapolis was as much about Milwaukee's predicament as Minnesota's win. The Bucks have now lost six of their first seven games, and the decision to start Burries was a clear signal that Jenkins is willing to change things to find a winning combination. For Minnesota, the win was less emphatic than the four previous victories, each of which had come by more than 20 points, but it was arguably more valuable: the Timberwolves had to win a close game in the fourth quarter, with Ball delivering when the result was still in doubt. That kind of closing performance is what separates a good start from a genuinely strong season, and it gives the Timberwolves confidence that they can find a way to win even when the shots are not falling as freely as they did in those earlier blowouts.

Why It Matters

For Minnesota, the result keeps a promising start on track at 5-3 and underlines how dangerous this team can be when Ball is scoring at this level. His 34 points came efficiently, and the contributions of Dosunmu and Gobert showed a balance that does not rely on one player alone. For Milwaukee, the concern is deeper: at 1-6, with a third straight defeat and a rookie thrown into the starting lineup after just six games, the Bucks need a turnaround quickly before the early-season gap becomes a hole. The defensive improvement on Monday, holding Minnesota to 112 points, offers something to build on, but the shooting and turnovers must improve just as fast.

What Happens Next

Both teams play again on Wednesday night. Milwaukee travels to Boston, while Minnesota heads to Houston. The Bucks will hope the Boston trip brings the shooting touch that deserted them in Minneapolis, while the Timberwolves will look to build on a fourth-quarter display that showed they can win the tight games as well as the blowouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between the Timberwolves and Bucks?
Minnesota won 112-100 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Monday, 2 November 2026.

How many points did LaMelo Ball score?
Ball scored a season-high 34 points on 12-for-21 shooting, including six three-pointers.

Who else stood out for Minnesota?
Ayo Dosunmu had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels scored 13.

What are the teams' records now?
Minnesota improved to 5-3, while Milwaukee fell to 1-6 after a third straight loss.

Who do the teams play next?
Milwaukee visits Boston on Wednesday, and Minnesota travels to Houston on Wednesday.

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