Injury Update: Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rob Dillingham Sidelined with Ankle Sprain
The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced that rookie guard Rob Dillingham will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors due to a right ankle sprain. This injury is a repeat of the same issue that forced Dillingham to sit out three games in late December. An MRI confirmed a Grade 2 right lateral ankle sprain, with a return to play timeline estimated at 1-2 weeks.
Dillingham’s initial injury in December saw him miss three games, but he made a strong return to the lineup on January 17 against the New York Knicks, scoring 9 points and dishing out 3 assists. He followed this up with his best stretch of the season, averaging 9.8 points and 3.0 assists over the final seven games of January. However, as the Timberwolves pushed towards the playoffs, Dillingham’s playing time significantly decreased, ending his first regular season with modest statistics of 4.5 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists per game.
The 20-year-old guard has been sidelined throughout the Timberwolves’ playoff run so far, including the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, and is not expected to participate in the remainder of the postseason even if he recovers in time. Fortunately for the Timberwolves, his absence is not anticipated to greatly impact the team’s performance, given their depth at the guard position. Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo are slated to handle point guard duties in his place.
For fans looking to catch the action, Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be broadcast live on TNT, with additional streaming options available through NBA League Pass, HBO Max, and the YouTube TV app/website, subject to regional restrictions. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PT) on Thursday, May 8, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
As the series heats up, the focus will be on how the Timberwolves adapt without Dillingham and whether they can overcome the Warriors’ challenge. With the depth of their roster, they are poised to make a compelling push in the playoffs, even without one of their promising young players.
