How LaMelo Ball, Timberwolves' defense have stepped up in Anthony Edwards' absence

For most NBA teams, losing their best player to injury can be a major setback for the trajectory of their season. But for the Timberwolves lately, the opposite has been the case.

After Anthony Edwards averaged 33.3 points over his first four games of the 2026-27 season — leading Minnesota to a 3-1 record — he was ruled out for around two months due to a right knee injury. Considering Edwards' status as a top-5 player in the league, the injury had a chance to drop the Timberwolves in the standings over the next few weeks.

Instead, after a 133-94 win over the Mavericks on Thursday night, Chris Finch's team is cruising, riding a five-game win streak thanks to some elite defense and LaMelo Ball stepping into a bigger role.

Here's a look at what's going well for Minnesota during its hot stretch. 

How LaMelo Ball, Timberwolves' defense have stepped up on win streak

The Timberwolves have now won five consecutive games since they lost to another top West contender, the Spurs, on Oct. 31. To open the month of November, Minnesota has taken down Milwaukee, Houston, New Orleans, Utah and Dallas, doing so without Edwards' all-around impact.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the Timberwolves' hot stretch is Finch's defense settling in. Minnesota has held Miami to 106 points, Houston to 107 points and Dallas to 94 points so far this season, three teams with some high-end offensive talent. Entering Thursday's game against the Mavericks, the Timberwolves' 107 points allowed per game ranked No. 6 in the NBA, while their 105.1 defensive rating was the best in the league.

There's a pressure and activity you feel from the Timberwolves defense, even if it's not a perfect world. Ball pressure from Jaden McDaniels. Look at LaMelo Ball making multiple efforts to navigate and be ready to show. Dosunmu block and Wolves turn stops into points. https://t.co/RbLXgOF5vv

While Minnesota has typically had strong defenses under Finch thanks to the presence of Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, it's perhaps more remarkable that the Timberwolves have been so elite defensively after adding a lead guard like Ball, who isn't exactly known for his defensive talents, while also losing Edwards. 

Thursday's win over Dallas was arguably the best showcase of the Timberwolves' defense yet, shutting down opposing star Cooper Flagg as he shot 5-of-12 from the floor for 12 points.

Without Edwards, Ball has also stepped into a larger role lately as a scorer. He put up a season-high 34 points in a win over the Bucks recently and has scored at least 20 in every game over Minnesota's win streak.

On Thursday, he had a few highlights against Flagg, who bring plenty of size to the defensive end of the floor.

LaMelo frying Cooper Flagg 😳 https://t.co/QbRm0mCtAz

It's not just Ball who has been scoring more. Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaylen Clark and Trey Lyles have all helped fill Edwards' scoring void:

Minnesota Timberwolves stats with and without Anthony Edwards https://t.co/38Rxq0WdAV

If there's a long-term takeaway from the last few games for the Timberwolves, it's that their depth is among the NBA's best. Minnesota may just be able to stay afloat at the top of the conference, even without Edwards, over the next few weeks.