The Minnesota Timberwolves’ LaMelo Ball, acquired via trade in the offseason, just gave us the first viral move of the 2026-27 NBA season.
In the Timberwolves’ 131-106 rout of the retooled Miami Heat on Thursday, Ball broke out a never-before-seen move early in the second quarter with the score tied at 39. Navigating a Rudy Gobert pick, Ball dribbled right, cupped the ball with his right hand as if he was going to pull up from deep, and then took four more steps to the side before actually launching—and burying—a triple.
There was just one problem. At any other time and in any other league, that move would most likely be whistled for traveling. Ball’s own brother took to X to state the obvious: that the move was a travel.
X Talking Heads Argue Otherwise
Naturally, LaMelo Ball’s move made the rounds on social media, where many panned it as a blatant uncalled travel.
Others, however, argued it was “technically” legal, with talking heads claiming that Ball didn’t actually stop his dribble but instead used what’s called a hang dribble before fully gathering the ball.
The overarching argument was that after the hang dribble, Ball took a gather step before actually stepping back, making the play a legal one—technically speaking.
NBA Refs Have a Word: LaMelo Ball Traveled
A day after the game, the NBA handed down a decision: LaMelo Ball traveled on that play.
“For everyone asking, ‘how is this legal?’ It’s not!” the referees’ union wrote in a post on X. “He gathers with his right foot on the floor and would be permitted two steps by rule (left-right). He takes four steps after gathering the ball and travels.”
There you have it. LaMelo Ball’s step-back three is a travel, according to the NBA itself. Of course, the talking heads and so-called experts on social media will likely still push back. But if you want to test it out, be our guest.
