LaMelo Ball had a straightforward assessment of what the Minnesota Timberwolves lacked against the Golden State Warriors.

Following Minnesota’s 119-114 loss Wednesday at Target Center, Ball pointed to the team’s pace as an area that needed improvement. He was asked how the Timberwolves could generate more of it, his answer was even shorter.

“Yeah, we didn’t have no pace tonight,” Ball said during his postgame interview.

Where does that pace come from?

“Running.”

The exchange followed a difficult performance for both Ball and Minnesota. The Timberwolves fell to 3-2, losing their second consecutive game after opening the season with three victories. Ball finished with eight points, four rebounds and eight assists, shooting 3 of 11 from the field and 2 of 8 from 3-point range.

He also committed six turnovers, adding another obstacle for a team trying to establish its offense without Anthony Edwards.

Edwards’ absence changes the demands on Minnesota’s available players, particularly the guards responsible for organizing possessions and creating opportunities.

Ball supplied eight assists against Golden State, but his shooting struggles and turnovers limited the overall impact of that production. For Minnesota, getting more from its lead guard means generating quality chances while protecting the possessions needed to create them.

His comments about pace addressed one part of that challenge. Advancing the ball quickly can give an offense opportunities before a defense establishes its preferred matchups and positioning.

Playing faster, however, also requires teammates to participate. Wings have to fill lanes, big men have to move into the play and the ballhandler needs available passing options. Ball’s answer identified a collective task, even as his own execution remains central to making it work.

The Timberwolves finished with 32 assists against the Warriors, showing that they could generate baskets through passing. The challenge was sustaining effective offense throughout the game rather than relying on a late response.

Minnesota outscored Golden State 66-55 in the second half but could not complete its comeback. The Timberwolves’ improved second-half production narrowed the deficit but didn't reverse the result.

Jonathan Kuminga led Minnesota with 20 points, while Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 19. Ayo Dosunmu added 17, giving the Timberwolves several contributors as they worked to replace Edwards’ offense.

Those performances helped keep Minnesota competitive, but the distribution of scoring also illustrated why Ball’s role matters. With multiple teammates capable of contributing, his ability to connect possessions and create favorable opportunities becomes especially valuable.

For Ball, the immediate opportunity is to pair his passing production with better shooting and fewer turnovers. Minnesota does not need every possession to become a fast break, but it needs enough movement and purpose to avoid making offense unnecessarily difficult.

The Timberwolves return to action Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers. After consecutive losses, that matchup offers Ball and his teammates an opportunity to turn his brief assessment into a more effective performance.