Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Rob Dillingham did not have the scoring outing he wanted in his NBA Summer League debut on Friday. Scoring just four points on 2-for-12 shooting from the field and 0-for-5 from behind the three-point line. Still contributing five rebounds and five assists in Minnesota’s 81-74 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
But on Sunday in the Timberwolves’ next Summer League matchup in Las Vegas against the Indiana Pacers, Dillingham looked more like the top-10 overall draft pick that he is with an insanely hot start.
Before being subbed out of the game after six minutes of action, Dillingham stuffed the stat sheet in a major way. Scoring or assisting on all of Minnesota’s first 17 points, putting up eight points and four assists in a hurry as the offense ran through the former Kentucky sixth-man.
From a finesse pull-up three-pointer off the dribble to a nice pick-and-roll assist to former Syracuse and West Virginia big man Jesse Edwards that ended in an emphatic slam dunk, Dillingham was doing it all and making the most of his opening minutes. Check out two of his aforementioned highlight plays below.
Dillingham was efficient in his first six minutes of action as well, making 50% of his shots from the field and two of his three attempts from behind beyond the arc. Speaking briefly before the start of the second quarter about what was working for him early in the Thomas & Mack Center.
“My teammates was just getting me open shots, so I was hitting them,” Dillingham said.
During last month’s 2024 NBA Draft, Dillingham was selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Traded immediately after the selection to Minnesota for a 2030 protected first-round pick swap and an unprotected first-round pick in 2031. Also sharing what the message has been to him from the organization.
“Really just play my game and learn the team’s motto,” Dillingham said. “Play defense and that’s how we’re going to win games.”
The Timberwolves had the NBA’s best defense last year during the regular season, holding opponents to a league-leading 106.5 points per game. And in this year’s NBA Draft, it’s clear the organization is focused on adding some more offensive firepower to compliment their strong defense.
Along with acquiring Dillingham, who was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 15.2 points per game, Minnesota also selected former Illinois guard Terrance Shannon in the first round. Who ranked third in the nation with 23 points per game last college basketball season. As it will be fascinating to see how the two high-scoring rookies can help contribute to a strong Timberwolves team led by Anthony Edwards.
