Edwards' viral reaction proves Rob Dillingham is deserving of playing time

It took seven games, but eighth-overall pick Rob Dillingham can now say he's scored his first points in the NBA. In the fourth quarter of an 18-point drubbing, the Minnesota Timberwolves sent Dillingham in to finish the game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The former Kentucky Wildcat entered the game with eight minutes to go. However, it wasn't long before Dillingham made his mark. The 6-foot-1 guard recorded his first assist of the season, hitting Naz Reid for a deep three-pointer after using Reid's screen in a pick-and-pop.

Dillingham's next assist was a step up from his first. Dillingham took a hand-off from Luka Garza on the right wing, then using the 6-foot-10 center as a roll-man. As Garza slipped to the rim, Dillingham sought out the mismatch and threw a pass only Luka could haul in, leading to an easy basket.

Rob Dillingham's first points excited players and fans alike

While the assists were enticing, excitement erupted when Dillingham scored his first career points. With just under four minutes to go, Rob's "shifty" moniker lived up to its namesake. The 20-year-old guard used a killer crossover and extreme burst to get past his defender. Dillingham capped off his drive with a circus layup to finish.

Immediately after Dillingham's tough bucket, the camera panned to an enthusiastic Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota superstar was caught smiling as he high-stepped on the far baseline in reaction to the rookie's first career points. Edwards surely wasn't the only one who approved of Rob's silky-smooth play. Others have clamored for the first-rounder to see the court. His first points validated those feelings.

Dillingham's second bucket came with just under two minutes to go—upping his total to four points on the night. In only two appearances, Rob's averages are up to 2.0 points and 2.0 assists in just 5.5 minutes of action. The Kentucky standout has cashed in on 2-of-4 field goal attempts while he's yet to attempt a three-pointer.

A late-game bucket in garbage time doesn't necessarily equate to an expanded role. But Dillingham's shifty crossover and slick layup are early indicators of high-level shot-making—something he's demonstrated since suiting up for the now-defunct Donda Academy.

Shot-making and off-the-bounce scorers have been stretched thin in Minnesota. The Timberwolves only roster three players with usage rates north of 20 percent: Edwards, Reid, and Julius Randle. Furthermore, no Wolves create more than half of their three-pointers, and only four see less than half of their two's go unassisted.

Infusing another playmaker into a lineup lacking ball-handlers will only yield positive results. The Timberwolves rely on four players to create and five to self-create. Dillingham is a high-level shot-maker waiting in the wings. Even if his defense isn't up to standard, Minnesota's reserve unit more than makes up for Dillingham's deficiencies.