Former Illinois standouts Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. are fueling the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hot 2026‑27 start. Minnesota wins its first three games by 20‑plus points before a 127‑125 setback to Cleveland. Off the bench, Dosunmu averages 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists, posting 16 points vs. Miami and a near‑triple‑double vs. Orlando. Shannon hits double figures in each of four games, with 15 points against Toronto and 14 vs. Cleveland, averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Their early contributions position Minnesota as a Western Conference contender.
The Raptors cutting ties with Jonathan Mogbo is looking like ot may not age well, as he thrives in Sacramento while Toronto searches for backup big answers.
Kevin Porter Jr., recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks after posting 17 points, seven assists and two steals per game, is unlikely to be a fit for the Toronto Raptors. Despite his on‑court production, his documented history of legal trouble—including a misdemeanor assault and harassment plea tied to alleged domestic abuse—raises serious concerns. Raptors fans have voiced frustration with point guard Immanuel Quickley, but the article warns that Porter’s past volatility could disrupt the team’s locker‑room chemistry, which the Raptors prioritize. The piece argues the Raptors should avoid adding Porter to their roster as they pursue a playoff push.
RJ Barrett is playing for his next contract.
Warriors star Draymond Green defends his earlier prediction that Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson’s floor is Kevin Garnett after Wilson’s 67 points in his first three games sparked Michael Jordan comparisons. Green, who called Wilson “potentially the best player in this draft” on his podcast, mocks critics for labeling him “dumb” when they now draw parallels to Jordan, who tallied 74 points in his first three games. Wilson’s debut (16 points vs. Raptors, 21 vs. Bucks, 30 with 14 rebounds vs. Wizards) ignited the debate, but Green stresses it’s too early to gauge Hall‑of‑Fame trajectories.
In Minnesota’s home opener, coach Chris Finch kept rookie guard LaMelo Ball in the game despite a fourth foul early in the third quarter. Ball answered by scoring 15 points on 5‑for‑8 shooting (4‑for‑5 from three) and dishing eight assists in just 16:44, propelling the Timberwolves to a 117–94 win over Toronto. Finch’s gamble paid off as Minnesota outscored the Raptors by 33 points while Ball was on the floor, and the duo’s growing trust was highlighted by Ball’s praise for Finch.
Ja'Kobe Walter green light from three-point land is really helping keep the Raptors perimeter scoring afloat to start the season.
Collin Murray-Boyles only took three shots in the loss to Minnesota.
After a 94-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Raptors fans are urging former big man Chris Boucher to return to Toronto. The defeat highlighted scoring blanks from starters Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes, sparking calls for a change at center. Boucher, who last played for the Celtics and posted a supportive tweet on Oct. 26, 2026, received a flood of nostalgic messages from fans. Although his recent averages (2 points, 2 rebounds) and 6'8" frame suggest a limited bench role, supporters hope his defensive presence could boost morale and address the team's interior woes.
The Timberwolves played a strong two-way game, while the Raptors struggled.
Jonathan Kuminga sparks a 117-94 win over the Toronto Raptors as the Timberwolves open the season 3-0. The 23‑year‑old tallied 13 points, four rebounds and earned praise from coach Chris Finch for his defense, hustle and rebounding. Kuminga, shooting 48% and averaging 12 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3 assists, adds a triple‑threat skill set alongside Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert and LaMelo Ball. A former Warriors champion who won a title at 19, he could be key to Minnesota’s push for a top Western seed as they face the Cavaliers on Monday.
The Minnesota Timberwolves start the 2026‑27 season 3‑0, blowing out the Toronto Raptors in a home win. Point guard LaMelo Ball, praised for his shooting and creative passing, admits he occasionally taps teammates on the head to keep them alert for his unconventional assists, as shown in a Timberwolves YouTube interview. His on‑court chemistry with Anthony Edwards is clicking, though Edwards’ knee flared during the game. With the duo healthy, Minnesota looks poised to contend for a top spot in the Western Conference this season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves start the 2026‑27 season 3‑0, blasting the Toronto Raptors in their first home game and lifting their all‑time winning percentage to .42148, edging out the Brooklyn Nets for the league's worst historical record. The win marks a franchise milestone and underscores the Wolves' resurgence after dismantling three former playoff teams. With Anthony Edwards returning from knee woes, LaMelo Ball thriving in his new role, and free‑agent Jonathan Kuminga contributing, Minnesota now looks capable of challenging the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the West. The Wolves head to Cleveland next on Monday.
The Timberwolves beat the Raptors 117-94, with Anthony Edwards scoring 26 points, and enter their next matchup against the Cavaliers at 3-0. However, Edwards is listed as questionable due to right‑knee injury management, and his availability could go either way, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. Minnesota also lists Donte DiVincenzo (out with Achilles surgery) on the injury report. Cleveland meanwhile has three players out, including Khalifa Diop (knee) and Nae’Qwan Tomlin (back). Fans will be watching closely to see if Edwards suits up for Monday’s game.
Rudy Gobert says he’ll keep “dominating offensively” in his own style after Minnesota’s 117-94 loss to Toronto. He posted 8 points, 13 rebounds and highlighted his impact through screens, offensive boards and spacing rather than traditional post scoring. Gobert is averaging 9.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and a 71.4% field‑goal rate, while entering his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. The Timberwolves start 3‑0 and aim to become a ‘superteam’ alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga and Jaden McDaniels as they head to Cleveland on Oct. 27.
Anthony Edwards powers the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 117-94 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 26, 2026, snapping a close first half with a dominant 35-15 third‑quarter run. Edwards tallies 26 points on 10‑of‑18 shooting, while the Wolves shoot 56% overall and 48% from three, improving to 3‑0 and tying Oklahoma City atop the Northwest Division. Toronto’s Ja’Kobe Walter leads the Raptors with 22 points, but the team struggles, shooting just 38% from the field and committing 17 turnovers. Key contributions also come from LaMelo Ball (15 pts, 8 ast) and Rudy Gobert (13 reb).
LaMelo Ball dazzles in his Timberwolves debut, scoring 15 points with eight assists despite early foul trouble, helping Minnesota clinch a third straight win. The trade that sent Naz Reid to Toronto sparks debate, but Ball’s 33‑point surge in just 16:44 on the floor fuels excitement. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert asserts his unchanged role as a dominant shot‑blocker in his 14th season, Luka Dončić blows out the Jazz with 52 points, exposing Utah’s defensive woes, and the Trail Blazers showcase depth with seven players in double figures against Sacramento.
LaMelo Ball’s move to the Minnesota Timberwolves has instantly reshaped the NBA landscape. In the Wolves’ 3‑0 start, they’ve won each game by over 20 points—including a 117‑94 victory over Toronto—making them only the third team ever to open a season with three 20‑plus‑point wins. Ball leads the league in plus‑minus, posting 16.0 points, 6.3 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 42.3% from three in just 17‑minute outings. His playmaking, combined with Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, puts Minnesota on a surprising postseason and even Finals‑talk track.
Anthony Edwards championed the acquisition of Jonathan Kuminga, and three games into his Minnesota Timberwolves debut, Kuminga is already exceeding expectations. He’s posted double‑figure scoring in every game, including 13 points on 7‑of‑11 shooting from three in a 117–94 win over Toronto, while also delivering seven assists, eight rebounds and relentless defense against stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Coach Chris Finch praises his willingness to embrace tough assignments, move the ball and trust the offense, and veteran Rudy Gobert notes Kuminga’s growing composure. The rookie’s balanced impact hints at a pivotal role alongside Edwards and LaMelo Ball as Minnesota builds momentum.
The Toronto Raptors tumble to a 117-94 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 26, 2026. Minnesota erupts early, outscoring Toronto 32-21 in the first quarter and shooting 12‑for‑18 overall, while the Raptors struggle with a 9‑for‑29 field performance and 1‑for‑10 from three. RJ Barrett’s 11 points and a brief second‑quarter rally aren’t enough to offset Scottie Barnes’ 0‑for‑12 night and Jakob Poeltl’s zero‑point, one‑rebound outing. Kawhi Leonard misses the game with a swollen knee, leaving the Raptors without a needed stabilizer. The loss highlights persistent shooting woes and a need for Barnes and Poeltl to elevate their play.
Samson Folk and Trevon Heath break down the Raptors’ early‑season woes, focusing on Scottie Barnes’ scoreless night against the Timberwolves and the offensive scheme under Darko Rajakovic. They argue Barnes is being forced into a role that limits his physical dominance, while the system favors Leonard and Quickley. The duo warns that this approach won’t win games, despite Barnes’ playoff heroics last year, and previews the upcoming Magic doubleheader.
LaMelo Ball played just under 17 minutes on Sunday night, but his impact jumped off the screen and stat sheet, which sparked a blowout win for the Timberwolves.
The Toronto Raptors host back‑to‑back games against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 28 (7:30 PM) and Oct. 30, turning both nights into Halloween‑themed spectacles. The first features a fan costume contest and glow‑in‑the‑dark skeleton Raptor merch, while the second counts toward the Emirates NBA Cup group stage, where Toronto hopes to rebound from an Oct. 25 loss to Minnesota. Both teams are dealing with injuries—Kawhi Leonard’s status remains uncertain and the Magic are without Paolo Banchero and possibly Jalen Suggs—giving the Raptors a chance to regain momentum and vie for a Cup upset.
The Minnesota Timberwolves dismantled Toronto’s star forward Scottie Barnes, holding him to 0‑for‑12 shooting in a 117‑94 loss at the Target Center on Oct. 26, 2026. Coach Chris Finch praised a collective defensive effort that rotated Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels, Trey Lyles and veteran Rudy Gobert to deny Barnes his preferred spots, forcing him into difficult shots. Barnes recorded four steals, a block, three rebounds and three assists, but his scoring void contributed to Toronto’s 35‑for‑91 field‑goal night. Raptors’ LaMelo Ball noted the Wolves’ switch‑heavy scheme, while Toronto’s other contributors – Ja’Kobe Walter (22), RJ Barrett (20) and Immanuel Quickley (19) – couldn’t close the gap.
LaMelo Ball celebrates his first regular‑season home game with the Minnesota Timberwolves, helping the Wolves to a 117‑94 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 26, 2026. Despite limited minutes due to foul trouble, Ball scored 15 points on 4‑of‑5 three‑pointers in 16 minutes and praised the fan support. Anthony Edwards led with 26 points, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds as Minnesota surged to a 3‑0 start, winning its first three contests by 22‑32 points. Acquired in a June four‑team trade, Ball’s early impact fuels optimism for the new backcourt duo with Edwards.