Timberwolves coach Chris Finch gave a measured but positive update on Donte DiVincenzo’s recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and for a team that watched its season get derailed in part by that injury, the news sounds like a small win.
Speaking during an Amazon Prime broadcast of Minnesota’s Summer League game against New Orleans, Finch made it clear he’s not about to start guessing on a return date. But he also didn’t sound like a guy who’s worried the guard won’t be back at full strength.
“I think, you know, it’s still too early to say,” Finch said. “All the early signs are great though. You know, he’s put the work in. He had the surgery really quick. His spirits are good.”
The injury happened in brutal fashion. Late in Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against Denver, DiVincenzo went down with a ruptured right Achilles. He had surgery soon after and has been grinding through rehab ever since. The Timberwolves didn’t make a deep run without him, but that’s almost beside the point now. The bigger question is whether he can get back to being the player who gave them so much during the regular season.
Before the injury, DiVincenzo was a stabilizing force in Minnesota’s backcourt. He averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 40.6% from the field and 37.9% from three. Those numbers don’t scream superstar, but for a team that needed shooting and secondary playmaking, he was exactly what they needed.
His playoff numbers were even better. In Minnesota’s Game 2 win over Denver, he put up 16 points, seven boards, six assists and four made threes. Then in Game 3, he had 15 points, seven assists, four steals and three threes. The guy was playing the best basketball of his season when his Achilles gave out.
Finch declined to offer a specific timeline, which is standard for Achilles injuries. But he did note that the people closest to DiVincenzo — his support staff, the medical team, the guys who see him every day — have been encouraged by how the early stages are going.
“I would be lying if I had a medical opinion on when he would come back,” Finch said. “But he’s been impressed with how quickly the process has gone so far, and so has his support staff.”
The Timberwolves are going to need that version of DiVincenzo if they want to make noise in the Western Conference again. Minnesota has talent, but the margin for error in the West is razor thin. Losing a two-way guard who can space the floor and defend multiple positions hurt them in the playoffs. Getting him back — even if it’s not until midway through next season — would give the rotation a jolt.
For now, it’s all about patience. DiVincenzo is doing the work. His coach is feeling good about the progress. And the Timberwolves are waiting.
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