Minneapolis, Minn. — Ball-Edwards Backcourt Opens Timberwolves Season

Minnesota Timberwolves fans are getting their first real look at the pairing of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, after the two guards spent late September running drills together at training camp, according to ESPN.

What happened at Timberwolves training camp?

On the first official day of camp in late September, most of the Wolves' roster had already been practicing together for weeks, ESPN reported. The day ended with a game of Around the World, the playground shooting drill where a player has to sink three shots in a row while moving around the 3-point arc. Ball and Edwards went head-to-head with the rest of Minnesota's guards. Ball missed a potential clean run and yelled in frustration before Edwards stepped in, hit three straight shots and pumped his fist. The back-and-forth continued through multiple stations, with Ball at one point pulling his shirt over his head after a miss, per ESPN's account.

Who are LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards?

Edwards, Minnesota's longtime franchise guard, is now sharing the backcourt with Ball, the pairing ESPN's headline calls the "Ant-Melo era," a nod to Edwards' nickname, Ant. The two are now running point together for the Timberwolves heading into the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN.

What changes for the Timberwolves backcourt?

The practical shift is simple: Minnesota now has two ball-handling, shot-creating guards on the floor together instead of building the offense around one. ESPN's report frames the camp session as evidence of early chemistry between the two, with coaches and teammates watching them compete in shooting drills as part of building that rapport before the regular season begins.

What are players saying about the new pairing?

Veteran center Rudy Gobert, who has anchored Minnesota's frontcourt through multiple playoff runs, described the mood inside camp.

"A lot of joy," Wolves veteran center Rudy Gobert said, according to ESPN. "The vibes are great."

Gobert's comment came as he watched the Edwards-Ball competition unfold, ESPN reported, a sign the locker room is treating the new backcourt as a source of energy rather than an adjustment period.

What's next for Minnesota?

ESPN's report does not list a specific box score or opening-night date, but it places the camp scenes in the run-up to the 2026-27 NBA season, with the Edwards-Ball partnership framed as a storyline to track once games count. Fans in Minneapolis and St. Paul will get their first real answer on how the pairing performs once the Timberwolves open regular-season play.

Want to test your own shooting-game instincts?

For fans who want to play their own version of Around the World from the couch, the Smorgi Challenge app lets users make daily predictions on NBA games, including matchups involving Edwards and Ball, as the Timberwolves open their season.