Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo will be sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a Grade 3 sprain to his left big toe. He suffered the injury during the game against the Golden State Warriors and it was confirmed by the team ahead of their Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Donte DiVincenzo's injury details and recovery plans
The Timberwolves officially announced the severity of DiVincenzo’s injury on Monday, 20th January afternoon, revealing that the 27-year-old has been dealing with the sprain for several days. Before Monday's match, DiVincenzo had already missed two games as the team sought to evaluate his condition.
The Timberwolves are now seeking a second opinion on the injury to determine the most effective treatment options moving forward. Before the game against the Grizzlies, DiVincenzo was seen wearing a walking boot in the team's locker room.
Donte DiVincenzo: key contributor since joining the Timberwolves
DiVincenzo joined Minnesota during the offseason, as part of a high-profile trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. The deal also included Julius Randle and a first-round draft pick, adding a valuable asset to the Timberwolves roster.
Initially coming off the bench, DiVincenzo earned a spot in the starting lineup on January 6, when he replaced veteran Mike Conley against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Since stepping into the starting role, DiVincenzo has made an immediate impact. In the six games he started, he averaged an impressive 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Additionally, he shot an efficient 42.1% (24 of 57) from beyond the arc. His performance helped the Timberwolves post a 4-2 record during this stretch.
So far DiVincenzo has played 40 games for the Timberwolves, averaging 11 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He’s also shown considerable proficiency from the three-point line, shooting 36.9% from deep. While the Timberwolves have faced challenges this season, DiVincenzo’s contributions have been a bright spot as they entered Monday’s game with a 22-20 record, securing the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.
As the team navigates this injury setback, Minnesota will likely need to rely on other players to fill the void left by DiVincenzo in the starting lineup.