Rob Dillingham Shines in Breakout Performance: 9 Assists, 7 Points in Wolves’ Preseason Win
Minnesota Timberwolves‘ rookie Rob Dillingham stole the spotlight in their présaison victory over the Denver Nuggets, dishing out 9 assists and scoring 7 points in just 23 minutes on the floor. The 8th overall pick in the 2024 Draft, Dillingham seemed to have found his rhythm, guiding his team with precise passes and timely shots.
Coach Chris Finch’s Praise
Coach Chris Finch, wholimited Dillingham’s playing time to an average of 10 minutes last season, has seen a remarkable improvement in his leadership. Finch expressed his satisfaction with Dillingham’s performance, highlighting his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates: “What we expect from him is his ability to create game. The ‘scoring’ will come afterwards. We need a leader capable of changing the pace…”
Summer Workout Pays Off
Dillingham’s offseason dedication showed in his performance. The 20-year-old spent part of his summer refining his playmaking skills and shot selection, working alongside veteran Mike Conley. “It was about playmaking overall, learning how my game fits into the team and how it helps me. But also, more precisely, the balance on shots, the way I take them**, ” he explained in an interview.
Rob Dillingham’s Stats (2024-25 Season)
MJ = 49, Min = 11, Shots = 44.1%, 3pts = 33.8%, LF = 53.3%, Off = 0.2, Def = 0.8, Tot = 1.0, Pd = 2.0, Fte = 0.8, Int = 0.4, Bp = 1.1, Ct = 0.0, Pts = 4.5
Regaining Confidence
Dillingham admitted that adjusting to playing with many good players for the first time took a toll on his confidence last season. However, he reassured fans that he’s back on track, maintaining his unique playing style while adapting to the team’s needs: “I tell myself that I will not change everything, or not completely, either who I am, neither my way of approaching the game, nor my confidence. I’m just going to adapt to what the team needs, while staying sure of me.”
Competition for Spotlight
With Bones Hyland also vying for the starting spot behind Mike Conley, Dillingham will have to keep up his impressive play to secure his position. But given his performance so far, Timberwolves fans have every reason to be excited about their young guard’s future.
Did you know?
Rob Dillingham is part of a prestigious group of combo guards drafted after their passage through Kentucky, which includes Devin Booker, ShaボールGilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Herro, and Immanuel Quickley.
{ “source”: “247sports.news” }
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Dillingham’s progress this season. If he continues to develop at this rate, he could be a dark horse candidate for Rookie of the Year.
Engage with us:
- Have you seen Rob Dillingham play before? What did you think of his performance?
- Do you think he can maintain this level of play throughout the season?
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