LaMelo Ball Makes NBA History in Timberwolves' Win vs. Bucks

Guard LaMelo Ball came into Monday's game against the Bucks needing three more made threes for a career milestone, and he took care of it before the first quarter was over as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Milwaukee 112-100 at Target Center.

His third three of the night was the 1,000th of his career, and it came in his 311th game, making him the fastest player in NBA history to reach that mark, according to the Associated Press recap on ESPN.

Ball finished with a season-high 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting, including 6-of-13 from three, and Minnesota moved to 5-3.

The record belonged to Duncan Robinson, who needed 343 games, so Ball got there 32 games faster, according to Yahoo Sports' Janik Eckardt.

Eckardt also noted that Steph Curry reached 1,000 threes in 369 games, and that comparison tells me how fast Ball has piled them up since entering the league.

The night was even more impressive because Ball was listed as questionable with a right wrist contusion before the game.

He scored 13 of Minnesota's first 17 points and had 24 by halftime, which matched his previous season high for a full game, per the AP.

Asked afterward if he had thought about sitting out, he kept his answer short.

"I'm going to the game. Might as well play," Ball said.

This is Ball's first season in Minnesota, and it has been an uneven start, with his shooting, turnovers and foul trouble all drawing attention, including after a loss in San Antonio when he was fed up with his fouls.

He is averaging 16.9 points and 3.3 made threes per game, and Monday looked like the version of Ball that Minnesota was hoping for.

The Wolves need that version badly right now, with guard Anthony Edwards out after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, guard Donte DiVincenzo still out as he recovers from a torn Achilles, and guard Terrence Shannon Jr. questionable for Wednesday after missing Monday's game with a left hip contusion.

That puts a lot on Ball's shoulders, and he has said the rhythm and chemistry with his teammates are starting to come together.

Guard Ayo Dosunmu gave him plenty of help with 19 points, a season-high 12 rebounds and eight assists, and forward Jaden McDaniels added 13 points.

I like where this is heading for the Wolves, even after some rough patches early in his first season with the team.

Ball does not have to be perfect, but he has to be the one who gets the offense going while Edwards is out, and a 34-point night with a sore wrist shows he is willing to carry that load.

Minnesota visits the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center before heading to New Orleans on Friday, so the next few nights will show whether Monday was a one-game burst or the start of something steadier from him.

If Ball keeps shooting like this, the Wolves can stay in the mix in the West until their best player gets back.