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During a frustrating outing against the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball created a stir when he appeared to spit directly onto the court after being called for his fourth foul before halftime in Saturday's 121-111 defeat.
The incident unfolded in the second quarter as Ball, already hampered by foul trouble, was sent to the bench with 7:40 remaining and the Timberwolves trailing 46-38. A video posted by Fullcourtpass on X captured the moment Ball spat on the hardwood following the whistle, prompting a visibly negative reaction from viewers online. The account suggested the voices heard in the clip belonged to Spurs announcers, though their identities were not independently verified.
Ball's frustration was palpable given his difficult start, but the gesture quickly became a topic of conversation beyond his on-court struggles. The guard picked up two fouls within the first four minutes and added two more in the second quarter, forcing Minnesota to play without its starting point guard for an extended period.
Surprisingly, the Timberwolves responded with a 16-0 run after Ball went to the bench and took a 61-60 lead into halftime. However, Ball's troubles persisted after the break: he picked up his fifth foul early in the third quarter and eventually fouled out with 3:43 remaining, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals in just 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama dominated with 43 points and six blocks, helping San Antonio secure its fourth consecutive victory. Minnesota will now look ahead to Monday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, hoping for a cleaner performance from Ball.
Key Analysis
Ball's spitting incident not only drew the ire of the Spurs' broadcast crew but also highlighted the young guard's visible frustration during a challenging game. While his stats were modest, the Timberwolves' strong run without him raises questions about his impact in this particular matchup. Wembanyama's stellar play continues to drive the Spurs' winning streak, adding another chapter to the rookie's impressive season.
Originally reported by yahoo.