Western Notes: Ball, Wolves, McLaughlin, Thunder, Dumars

While LaMelo Ball ’s on-court fit in Minnesota will go a long way toward ultimately determining the Timberwolves ’ ceiling in 2026/27 and beyond, head coach Chris Finch said on Monday that Ball’s impact in the locker room shouldn’t be understated, as Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic relays. “He’s always in a great mood,” Finch said. “Always come in smiling. He and Anthony (Edwards) have a shared quality: They’re really hard to stay mad at. And they do some things that you want to get mad at. They have a reflective joy, and I think that’s important.