Donte DiVincenzo Injury Update is Bad News for Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are nearly 40 games into the 2024-25 NBA season and they still have yet to figure out their identity. End of game lineups are different night in and night out, Julius Randle still doesn’t have a defined role in the Wolves’ offense and isn’t much help on defense.
Minnesota Timberwolves better with Donte Divincenzo in the starting lineup…?
That brings us to the starting rotation, which head coach Chris Finch recently started tweaking. One of those changes was replacing point guard Mike Conley with Donte DiVincenzo in the starting lineup for six games between January 6 vs LAC and January 15 vs GSW.
The results of that move were pretty good, too. The Wolves went 4-2 during that stretch, outscoring opponents 112.7 to 106.8. During that stretch, they held New Orleans to 97 points and Orlando to 89. Offensively, the Wolves really started rolling in DiVincenzo’s final three games as a starter (vs GSW, WAS, MEM), where they scored an average of 120 points per game.
One day there will be a study done on Donte DiVincenzo's confidence leap in games he starts. He's shooting almost 44% from 3 in his last 13 games.pic.twitter.com/qVlJi4Ab32
— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) January 12, 2025
After a slow start to his career in Minnesota, Donte was really starting to find his place, of late. Unfortunately, Donte DiVincenzo’s come up won’t bring long-term stability to Minnesota Timberwolves lineup that desperately needs it.
Wolves rule Donte DiVincenzo out indefinitely
After being inactive for the last two games, news broke on Monday that tests on DiVincenzo’s injury are not coming back with optimistic results. According to Shams (ESPN), the nearly 27-year-old, former No. 17 overall draft pick (2018) is in a walking boot and the Wolves have ruled him “out indefinitely” with a left big toe injury.
Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo is out indefinitely due to left big toe injury and will receive additional opinion, sources tell ESPN. DiVincenzo’s foot has been placed in a boot. He was averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 assists, 42% shooting on 3s as a starter in last 6 games. pic.twitter.com/Cb7QPa5MME
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2025
Related: Julius Randle Disgruntled After Timberwolves Cut His Minutes
Not sure if he aggravated it earlier in the game, but here is where Donte DiVincenzo sprained his left toe last night. Rarley do you see him slump over in pain like this. pic.twitter.com/VhIcTthjzs
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) January 17, 2025
DiVincenzo with the Minnesota Timberwolves (40 games)
- Last 15 games: 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game (29.2 minutes).
- First 25 games: 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game (24.7 minutes).
The Minnesota Timberwolves swapped out Mike Conley for Donte DiVincenzo, because the newly extended 37-year-old veteran point guard has been showing his age, during the first half of this season. Since Donte left the lineup with injury, Conley has returned to the starting-five.
Related: Teams Inquiring on Vital Timberwolves Role Player Prior to NBA Trade Deadline
DiVincenzo is not expected to be back anytime soon, obviously. But he does have a newish contract to soothe his pain. Donte still has two full seasons on his deal (at over $12M per year), so he will have plenty of time to fully recover and contribute in a Timberwolves uniform, even if it’s not this season. Let’s pray that is not the case, though.
Donte DiVincenzo L10 GP 3P Shooting
— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) January 16, 2025
35/84 41.7% Overall
23/60 38.3% Catch-and-Shoot
11/23 47.8% Pull-Ups
6/13 46.2% Corner
29/71 40/8% Above-the-Break
DDV has found his shooting stroke. pic.twitter.com/YUhPozj1Ud
More About:Minnesota Timberwolves News
You Might Like:
