As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare for a home contest with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday following four days in a row off, the latest injury report for the team has been provided by Timberwolves PR. Rob Dillingham was not listed on Thursday's version of the injury report.
This should serve as a big sigh of relief for Wolves fans. Dillingham has not played since November 27 against the Sacramento Kings, and his presence has been sorely missed. Rob suffered a right ankle sprain in that game and has missed all five of Minnesota's games since then.
Ironically, the Timberwolves began their winning streak right after Dillingham's last time on the court, due in large part to the leadership of Anthony Edwards. Calling out his teammates and himself, Edwards' words sparked a fire in Minnesota's locker room that led to the Wolves winning four of their last five games.
Dillingham not listed on Timberwolves' injury report
But even despite their recent success, it was hard not to feel the Timberwolves would have been better with Rob Dillingham on the floor. Minnesota is still in need of more consistent backup point guard play from a more traditional floor general, and that reality has sparked plenty of conversation about the team's best way to address that need.
Of course, one of the best options possible would be getting Dillingham back on the floor as soon as possible, which is what it appears will be happening on Friday. Rob looked more than ready to play real NBA minutes before his injury. In the three games leading up to his most recent appearance against the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, Dillingham played an average of 16.6 minutes per night and was excellent while filling in for Mike Conley.
In those three games, Rob got in a groove and was averaging 9.3 points while shooting a hair under 50% from the floor and 45% from three-point range. It is a small sample size, but the eye test told us he was more than ready for the moment.
Now, having Dillingham back and available to play will be big for Minnesota as they look to keep their winning ways going against what will be an undermanned Lakers squad. We have seen that the Timberwolves coaching staff trusts Rob, and ideally he will continue to prove he can be a worthwhile contributor as a rookie.