LaMelo Ball gets away with egregious travel during Timberwolves season opener, immediately trash-talks fans

LaMelo Ball put on an impressive performance in his official debut for Minnesota, scoring 21 points and dishing out six assists in his team's 131-106 victory on the road, but three of his 21 points should not have counted.Just over three minutes into the first quarter, Ball dribbled around a well-set screen that got his defender off balance.Instead of driving towards the basket, he opted to pick his spot beyond the three-point line, but forgot to put the ball on the floor on his way there.LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates his three-point basket against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter during a preseason game at Target Center on Oct.
14, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(David Berding/Getty Images)CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEBall appeared to take every bit of four full steps without taking a dribble.
The carry was so egregious that each of the announcers on the broadcast couldn't help but call out how bad the no-call was.The 25-year-old guard immediately talking trash to some courtside fans after he made the three made the whole scene that much worse.Then again, Ball and essentially every other player in the league have gotten away with traveling with the basketball throughout their NBA careers.LaMelo Ball #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on Oct.
5, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW-UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Oftentimes, the missed travel calls take place with players driving to the basket and getting away with an extra half-step while carrying the basketball.For Ball not to get whistled while standing well beyond the three-point line is a bit of a surprise, even by NBA standards.As for the contest itself, the Timberwolves looked as good and entertaining as expected with their new two-headed monster of Anthony Edwards and...