LaMelo Ball's first season in a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey has been electric, but he's had to adjust to a new franchise for the first time in seven seasons.

Ball went from being the star with the Charlotte Hornets to sharing the limelight with Anthony Edwards and forming a strong pick-and-roll game with Rudy Gobert.

The 25-year-old no longer shouldered the responsibility of being the bona fide No. 1 option; Edwards took care of that role. He's used to playing fast in the pick-and-roll, but Gobert wanted him to play with pace because his screen would help him generate space.

A new team, a new role.

However, when ESPN's Shams Charania broke that Edwards would miss up to two months after an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, Ball returned to his old role.

Minnesota's new star dropped 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting (2-for-2 from three) to power the team over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

He credited his performance to the growing relationship with coach Chris Finch and Gobert during his postgame interview. The 6-foot-9 guard said he's learning about the coaches, and they are learning more about him.

Finch subbed in his star guard with over eight minutes left, and he got straight to cooking.

He hit back-to-back movement threes on the left wing. Ball clapped his hands, demanding the ball from Jonathan Kuminga, and he found him for his signature one-legged three.

The Timberwolves resorted to the Ball-Gobert one-two punch as the game clock dwindled. Rockets center Alperen Sengun tried to trap the screen, but Ball blew past him for a right-handed layup.

Gobert tried setting a screen several possessions later, but his point guard waved it off as Amen Thompson would switch onto him. Ball wanted the Jabar Smith Jr. isolation.

A couple of between-the-legs dribbles and a hesitation froze Smith long enough for Ball to scoop a layup and give Minnesota a four-point lead.

Two months is a long time for the Timberwolves to miss their superstar. His high-volume 3-point shooting and explosive athleticism are the backbone of their offense.

Now, Ball has to carry the load as he did in Charlotte. He averaged 20.8 points on 41.8% shooting, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists across six seasons.

There's no doubt the one-time All-Star can handle being the primary scorer and playmaker. His injury history is a red flag clouding Minnesota in this crucial period.

Ball nursed continuous ankle injuries from 2022-23 to 2024-25. He played fewer than 50 games in each season.

The Timberwolves can't afford to lose another star, especially one who's building strong relationships with the team in his first season.