LaMelo Ball scored a season-high 34 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Monday night, 2 November 2026. The result, one of the fastest-rising UK Google searches on Tuesday 3 November 2026, lifted Minnesota to 5-3 and left Milwaukee at 1-6 to start the season.
Ball shot 12-for-21 from the field and hit six three-pointers in his best scoring night since joining Minnesota. Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 21 points, but the Bucks lost for the sixth time in seven games. Minnesota pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Milwaukee 32-24 to close out the win.
Timberwolves vs Bucks — Quick Reference Summary
| Detail | Timberwolves vs Bucks, 2 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Final score | Minnesota Timberwolves 112, Milwaukee Bucks 100 |
| Venue | Target Center, Minneapolis |
| Top scorer | LaMelo Ball, Minnesota — 34 points, 12-for-21 shooting, six three-pointers |
| Bucks top scorer | Tyler Herro — 21 points |
| Records after the game | Minnesota 5-3; Milwaukee 1-6 |
| Decisive stretch | Minnesota outscored Milwaukee 32-24 in the fourth quarter |
| Key absence | Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) sidelined after right-knee surgery |
| Next games (AP) | Bucks at Boston on Wednesday; Timberwolves at Houston on Wednesday |
How Ball took control from the opening minutes
Minnesota made a fast start, and an early Ball three-pointer helped put the Timberwolves ahead 15-4 inside the opening minutes. The home side led 29-18 after the first quarter, before Milwaukee fought back to make it a contest. The Bucks’ response kept the game close through the middle quarters, with Minnesota holding only a four-point lead going into the fourth.
That lead did not last long as a contest. Jaden McDaniels scored six points in an 11-3 Minnesota run to open the fourth quarter, stretching the advantage to 91-79. A Ball three-pointer midway through the quarter then made it 96-81, and Milwaukee could not close the gap again.
Why the supporting cast mattered for short-handed Minnesota
Ball’s night stood out because Minnesota was short-handed. Anthony Edwards remained sidelined after surgery on his right knee, so the scoring load fell on the rest of the rotation. Ayo Dosunmu answered with 19 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels added 13 points.
Rudy Gobert also recorded a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds, according to Reuters. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points for Milwaukee, but the Bucks shot a season-worst 38.4 percent. Minnesota, for its part, finished with season lows in points and shooting percentage at 42.7 percent, yet still won by 12.
What the result means for Milwaukee’s slow start
For Milwaukee, the defeat continued a difficult opening to the season. The Bucks have now lost six of their first seven games, and this was their third straight loss. It was, however, the first defeat in which they did not concede at least 127 points, a small sign that the defence held up better than in earlier losses.
The wider picture is less forgiving. A 1-6 record leaves Milwaukee with ground to make up in the early standings, while Minnesota’s 5-3 start keeps the Timberwolves in a far stronger position. For sports fans following the Alexandra Eala Hong Kong Open opener, this was another night when an under-strength side found a way to win. The same theme ran through the Cruz Montana WWE Raw debut, where a new arrival changed the shape of the night.
What to watch next for both teams
Minnesota will want to see whether Ball can repeat this level of scoring while Edwards remains out. His 34 points were his first 30-point game since joining Minnesota, and his 24 first-half points set the tone before the fourth-quarter push. Consistency, rather than one hot night, is the test now.
Milwaukee’s test is different. The Bucks need wins, and they need them soon, after dropping six of seven. Their next game, at Boston on Wednesday according to the Associated Press report, offers no easy route back. Reporting from Reuters on Ball’s 34-point night and the Associated Press game report carried by TSN agrees on the score, the key scorers and the fourth-quarter run that decided it.
Timberwolves vs Bucks: questions answered
What was the Timberwolves vs Bucks score? Minnesota won 112-100 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Monday night, 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 led Milwaukee in scoring? Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 21 points, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. adding 19.
Why was Anthony Edwards not playing? Edwards was sidelined after surgery on his right knee, leaving Minnesota short-handed.
What are the teams’ records now? Minnesota improved to 5-3, while Milwaukee fell to 1-6 after losing six of its first seven games.
Note on facts not asserted: Terrence Shannon Jr.’s availability and any exact return date for Anthony Edwards are not asserted here, as pre-game reports listed Shannon as questionable with a hip contusion and Edwards only as sidelined after knee surgery. No player height, net worth or social handle is asserted in this sports report.
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