NBA referee union admits LaMelo Ball's moonwalk stepback 3 was actually a travel New York Times (Online) Devon Henderson While Minnesota Timberwolves point guard LaMelo Ball asserts his moonwalk into a second-quarter 3-pointer in Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat wasn't a travel, the rest of the world seems to disagree. That includes the league's referees union. The NBA's official referee X account weighed in on social media to confirm that Ball's move was illegal, even though it wasn't called in real time. “For everyone asking, “how is this legal?” It's not!” the account wrote 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.” For everyone asking, “how is this legal?” It's not! 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. https://t.co/dSitGeRNSD — NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) October 22, 2026 Ball peeled off a screen and seemed to take five or six steps with the ball spinning in his right hand before finally releasing what became one of his five made 3-pointers on the night. He insisted the move was legal, sharing a different interpretation of the rules in an interview with ESPN's SportsCenter after the game. “If you watch, I let the ball guide,” said the 25-year-old point guard, who made his Minnesota Timberwolves regular-season debut last night. “If I'm letting the ball guide and I ain't touching it, you can take as much steps as you want.” Two of the broadcasters on the call, Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson, thought otherwise. “That's a travel!” Breen and Jefferson said at the same time. “Like, that has to be called,” Breen continued. Ball's older brother, Lonzo Ball, agreed with Breen and Jefferson. “Travel lmaoooo,” he posted to X. The NBA rulebook states that players are allowed a gather while dribbling, followed by “two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.” A “gather” is defined as follows: “The point where a player does any one of the following: Puts two hands on the ball, or otherwise permits the ball to come to rest, while he is in control of it; puts a hand under the ball and brings it to a pause; (or otherwise gains enough control of the ball to hold it, change hands, pass, shoot, or the player cradles the ball against his body.” The referee on the court let the play stand. It became part of a 21-point debut for Ball in Minnesota's 131-106 blowout on opening night. After six seasons leading the Hornets, Ball was traded alongside Josh Green to the Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks and three future first-round pick swaps. Now, he's alongside Anthony Edwards, forming one of the most energetic duos in the league. The two combined for 66 points last night, including 45 from Edwards. However, three of them, at least, should face a little more scrutiny over how Ball got there.