Rob Dillingham Injury Update: Minnesota Timberwolves Top Pick Out for a While

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Jan 3, 2025

Rob Dillingham - Minnesota Timberwolves — Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Last summer, the Minnesota Timberwolves shocked the NBA when they traded two future 1st rounders for the No. 8 overall pick, in order to draft Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham. At the time, the motive seemed obvious.

Minnesota Timberwolves will go without Rob Dillingham for a week or two

The Wolves wanted another point guard option other than Mike Conley, and Dillingham seemed like the perfect young protege. And that could still be the case. Hell, the kid is only 20 years old (on Saturday). Unfortunately, one day prior to his birthday, it was announced that Rob will miss one to two weeks with a grade 2 ankle sprain.

Wolves say Dillingham is diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain with a return to play timeline in 1-2 weeks. Will be evaluated again in a week https://t.co/NsxwKyEiq9
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) January 4, 2025

Nearing the halfway point of his rookie NBA season, Dillingham hasn’t made the impact he or Tim Connelly hoped, when he was drafted by the Timberwolves back in June. Rob has played in just 15 games, averaging 3.7 points, 1.7 assists and 0.7 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game.

While the results haven’t been great, as of yet, there is no doubting the talent inside of Rob Dillingham. He is shooting .451 from the field and .429 from 3-point land. Last season, in his only year at Kentucky, Dillingham played 23.3 minutes per game, averaging 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Rob Dillingham in 24 Mins vs the Rockets last night

12 PTS (5-13 FG, 2-5 3PT)
7 AST
5 REBS

Is he rookie of the year in 2 Games?? pic.twitter.com/0LjfNwlfVl
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) November 27, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves some roster moves on Friday, too. Their other 2024 1st round pick was, Terrence Shannon Jr, was sent down to Iowa this morning, before being recalled back to Minneapolis just seven hours later. The Wolves also signed Indiana Pacers 2024 2nd round pick, Tristen Newton, off waivers.