Second-year guard Rob Dillingham felt poised to take on a bigger role this season. After getting a DNP in the Minnesota Timberwolves' season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, Dillingham again sat on the bench for most of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. At the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Chris Finch gave Dillingham an opportunity.
The Wolves were down 19, but these were genuine minutes for a young guard desperately trying to prove himself as he was playing alongside three starters. Unfortunately, though, he left the game with a bloody nose after just 30 seconds of court time.