Minnesota arrives at Toronto's game 2-0 after beating Miami by 25 and Orlando by 22, with a roster that lost Naz Reid and Julius Randle over the summer. The question that will define the season is whether a team built on defense can keep winning with LaMelo Ball in the backcourt.
The Case For
The early evidence favors the defense. Minnesota won 131-106 in Miami and 115-93 in Orlando, and Rudy Gobert has 12.0 rebounds a game in 31.5 minutes. Jon Krawczynski's game coverage for The Athletic noted a plus-16 rebounding margin against a big, physical Magic team, and another Athletic piece said the Wolves got smaller in summer yet are playing bigger. Dunking with Wolves argued that the physicality worries were overblown. Ayo Dosunmu is giving the second unit 15.0 points and 6.5 assists, and Terrence Shannon Jr. gave the Magic game a lift. None of that looks like a team that traded away its identity.
The Case Against
Two games are two games. Ball, the $40.8 million guard, is shooting 33.3 percent from three and scoring 16.5 a night. In Orlando, Krawczynski's game note had Ball and Edwards a combined 2-of-12 at one stage, and the Wolves won anyway because others covered for them. That is encouraging, but it is not a plan. The payroll is $215.3 million, above the $209.0 million first apron, and the 2027 and 2028 first-round picks are tied up in swaps, so the margin for repairs is thin. Gobert is 34 and went back to day-to-day on October 17, with no later update reported. Donte DiVincenzo is out until April 2 at the earliest.
Where It Lands
The defense is the safer bet. Gobert's rim protection, McDaniels' length and a rebounding edge gave Minnesota two conference finals and a six-game series win over Denver last spring. Ball does not change that foundation, and his passing is already lifting the group. What he must prove is that his scoring and shooting hold up when Denver and Oklahoma City take away the easy looks. Minnesota went out to San Antonio in the semifinals, so the standard is higher than a good October. My answer: the fit works for the regular season, and it will be judged on whether Ball's offense carries a game when the defense gives up a bad half. Toronto is also 2-0, and Cleveland follows on Monday. Those are the first real checks.
Does LaMelo Ball fit the Timberwolves?
So far, yes: Minnesota is 2-0 with Ball scoring 16.5 and passing for 5.5 assists a game. His three-point shooting of 33.3 percent and his play against top Western teams are still unproven.
How have the Timberwolves started the 2026-27 season?
They are 2-0, with a 131-106 win at Miami and a 115-93 win at Orlando. They sit sixth in the standings entering the Toronto game.
