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JJ Redick shocked that Wolves, Lakers had to play with new basketballs

Neither team shot the ball well in L.A.'s season-opening win over Minnesota.
Joe Nelson|
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Timberwolves

One bright spot from the Timberwolves' season-opening loss to the Lakers was that they are probably going to have the best 3-point defense in the NBA for a while thanks to the Lakers shooting a woeful 5-of-30 from deep in their 110-103 victory over Minnesota.

Overall, the Lakers shot 44.2% from the field while the Timberwolves were a miserable 41.2%. Were guys just rusty or a little tight on opening night? Maybe it was just the basketballs...

"I'm going to send in a request for the league tomorrow that we can play with worn-in basketballs," Lakers first-year head coach JJ Redick said after the game. "I'm not sure why we're playing in real games — I'm being dead serious — I'm not sure why we're playing in real games with brand new basketballs. Anybody who's ever touched an NBA ball brand new, it's a different feel and touch than a worn-in basketball."

It's impossible to say for sure if the ball impacted every player, but there were some obvious off nights with the rock for players who are typically high-end shooters. Mike Conley was 1 of 7 overall and 0 of 5 from 3-point range. Donte DiVincenzo hit just 3 of 11 shots and was 2 for 8 from 3.

The Lakers shot 56.9% inside the arc and 16.7% outside the 3-point line. Minnesota hit on 31.7% of 3-point shots compared to 52.2% inside the arc. Anthony Edwards said in the locker room that had Minnesota made their shots they would've won.

"I didn't realize it til a timeout," Redick continued. "There was a long rebound, I grabbed it, I was like, 'What? Why are we playing with this ball? Give the guys the opportunity to pick a good basketball. You think i'm joking? I'm being neurotic."

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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