Timberwolves Struggle as Rob Dillingham’s Minutes Dwindle

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Rookie guard Rob Dillingham logged only eight minutes in the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ 121-115 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday, marking his fewest minutes played since December. Head coach Chris Finch‘s decision to bench Dillingham late in the game raised questions about the player’s development and readiness to contribute in crucial moments.

Dillingham had shown promise leading up to this game, averaging 9.8 points and 3.0 assists in January with a shooting percentage of 57.1%. However, February has not been kind to him, as his average has dipped to 5.7 points per game despite an increase in playing time from 15.8 to 16.6 minutes.

Finch’s frustration was evident during the second quarter on Friday, particularly after Dillingham opted for a transition pull-up three-pointer. Following this missed attempt, Finch called a timeout to express his displeasure, and Dillingham did not return to the game.

For the night, Dillingham recorded two points, two rebounds, and two steals on 1-of-4 shooting. The Timberwolves’ loss was particularly disheartening as it marked their 20th clutch-time loss of the season, the most in the NBA.

The Timberwolves were without guard Donte DiVincenzo due to a toe sprain, making it a pivotal moment for Dillingham to solidify his place in the rotation as the team prepares for a more complete lineup when healthy. Despite flashes of potential that led to the Timberwolves trading up to draft him last summer, it appears Finch is employing a tough-love approach to Dillingham’s growth.

Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening, but they will again be without key players. Rudy Gobert was sidelined due to low back spasms, while both DiVincenzo and Julius Randle remain unavailable due to their respective injuries. DiVincenzo has only recently been cleared for basketball activities, while Randle is participating in full-contact practice.

The team is eager to improve their performance as they strive to reduce their clutch-time losses, especially with the season’s competition heating up. Sunday’s game at the Target Center in Minneapolis is set for a tipoff at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.