The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the second night of a back-to-back on Monday night. They will take on the Denver Nuggets at home as they look to improve to 3-1 on the year. However, it was just announced that Anthony Edwards will miss at least two weeks due to a right hamstring strain.
It is not going to be easy to replace Edwards, but the injury news they received Monday afternoon should give them some relief. Per Timberwolves reporter Dane Moore, Rob Dillingham will play against the Nuggets after missing time with a fractured nose.
Rob Dillingham Provides Some Relief in Edwards’ Absence
GettyRob Dillingham is set to make his return Monday night from a fractured nose.
Dillingham was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft out of Kentucky. The guard played just 49 games in his rookie season and had some rookie struggles. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.1% from the floor and 33.8% from three-point range.
The 20-year-old showed a lot of improvement in the preseason, though. He scored double-digit points in four of his six games played, including 27 against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions. What’s more promising is that Dillingham not only showed an improvement in shooting, but he also showcased great passing, as well.
Not having Edwards is going to hurt, and by no means is Dillingham going to replicate Edwards’ scoring ability. However, he is the type of guard who will facilitate an offense, and Minnesota will need that.
Other guards, such as Mike Conley and Bones Hyland, will have to step up as well. Donte DiVincenzo is already starting, so he should see an increase in scoring opportunities. But Dillingham returning to the backcourt is going to be a big help. If he plays well, as he did in the preseason, the Timberwolves will have an easier time replacing Edwards’ offensive production.
The Timberwolves Schedule Coming Up
GettyThe absence of Anthony Edwards will test the Timberwolves’ identity these next two weeks.
These next three games are going to set the tone with Edwards out. Minnesota hosts the Nuggets on Monday night and the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night. Additionally, the Timberwolves take on a surprisingly good Charlotte Hornets team on the road Saturday night.
This week’s games are the toughest they will have to deal with in Edwards’ assumed two-week absence. Minnesota will also play the Utah Jazz twice, while taking on the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, and Brooklyn Nets once. The first three games without their star player will reveal Minnesota’s identity and how they are going to handle the loss of Edwards.
As it stands right now, Julius Randle is set to be the player the offense runs through. The Timberwolves are not a team that will score 120-plus points on a nightly basis, but they have scored 114.0 per game this year. Now, that is in the bottom half of the league, but it is on par with their average last season. They win games without being an explosive offense. But getting Dillingham back should help them reach their season scoring average.
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