The NBA season saw its first full night of action on Wednesday, with most of the league’s teams playing their first game of the season. That meant we got our first look at LaMelo Ball teaming up with Anthony Edwards for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Our first look at NBA officiating reminded us that we might still have some rust to knock off after the offseason.
Ball got off to a hot start with the Timberwolves, scoring 16 points in the first half on 4-8 shooting from downtown. And in a replay of one of those trios, an iconic step back, ESPN’s core team of Mike Breen, Tim Legler and Richard Jefferson were all stunned by what they saw.
The most obvious journey in NBA basketball history.
As Ball collected himself and moved behind the three-point line, he appeared to take at least four steps, then a jump stop before going up for the shot. As Legler talked about Ball’s long-range shot, the commentators saw the trip and then shouted in unison, “That’s a trip!”
“It’s a journey.”
How many steps from LaMelo? 😭 https://t.co/pmuhYg1zQb
– Sports Center (@SportsCenter) October 22, 2026
Breen twice exclaimed, “This must be called” as he was in disbelief at the non-call.
NBA referees certainly have a reputation for turning a blind eye to what should be called moving violations. But while most fans probably don’t mind some leniency here and there to help the game flow, moments like this are just egregious. LaMelo Ball will break every NBA scoring and shooting record in league history if he is allowed to wiggle his feet and create that kind of space without having to dribble.
It’s not quite Russell Westbrook calmly running the ball across the floor and seemingly forgetting the rules of basketball, but it’s certainly a worthy addition to the “The Trips But They’re Getting More and More Outrageous” collection.
Gn sports
