Edwards and Ball Shine in First Game Together for Minnesota
Anthony Edwards scored 45 points and LaMelo Ball added 21 as Minnesota beat Miami 131-106 in its opener. The new backcourt pairing produced 66 combined points, with Edwards becoming one of only three NBA players to record multiple 40-point season openers. Minnesota also got contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert in the second half.
Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball debuted together in Minnesota’s 131–106 road win over Miami. Edwards posted 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting, while Ball scored 21, giving the new backcourt 66 combined points. Edwards became one of three NBA players ever to record more than one 40-point opening-night game.
Coach Chris Finch mostly staggered their minutes: the pair shared the floor for about nine first-half minutes and eight after halftime. They combined for 28 three-point attempts and 14 makes, and Minnesota’s second half also featured Jonathan Kuminga, Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert.
The pairing could draw new attention to Minnesota basketball and the NBA’s opening week, especially among younger fans who follow star backcourts. A successful Edwards-Ball partnership may boost local game attendance, merchandise interest, and youth basketball conversations in the Twin Cities. It could also shape how teams value pairing high-usage guards, though one game is too small a sample to predict broader effects.