Donte DiVincenzo had just found his rhythm in Minnesota when he got injured. He had scored a season-high 28 points in a tight game against his former team, the Golden State Warriors. However, with 11.9 seconds remaining in regulation, DiVincenzo landed awkwardly after a layup and sprained his toe, forcing him to miss 19 straight games.
Now that DiVincenzo has returned to the lineup, he has picked up where he left off.
In those eight games played, DiVincenzo is averaging 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 26.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 48.8% from the field, 50% from 3 on 8.0 attempts, with a 67.9% true shooting percentage. He also added 1.4 steals per game.
The Wolves have benefitted from DiVincenzo’s 3-point shooting gravity
DiVincenzo is shooting 40.6% on catch-and-shoot (C&S) 3s this season. By balancing high efficiency and deep shooting range, DiVincenzo is one of Minnesota’s best spot-up 3-point threats. DiVincenzo’s ability to stretch defenses out and force opponents to play tight coverage when he is away from the ball is crucial to Minnesota’s spacing.
No one benefits more from DiVincenzo’s 3-point shooting prowess and safety valve abilities than Anthony Edwards.
When Edwards is on the ball, and DiVincenzo flanks him wide, teams cannot easily pressure Edwards. Opponents have to respect DiVincenzo’s lethal shooting range. Therefore, Edwards has much more room to isolate defenders, hunt 3-point shots off the dribble, or get downhill toward the rim.
Edwards and DiVincenzo’s gravity gives the Timberwolves optionality. Both players can parlay their strengths to seek advantages and attack the defense head-on. In doing so, they give their three other teammates opportunities to attack the back line of the defense.
As a result, DiVincenzo and Edwards have a +5.4 NET rating when they share the floor.
DiVincenzo also plays a crucial role as a connective playmaker
Most of an NBA defense’s primary goal is to get the ball out of the biggest scoring threats’ hands and force others to beat them. Keeping the opponent’s defense in constant motion and rotation with ball movement is crucial. If role players cannot capitalize upon ball reversals, kick-outs, or dump-offs from their stars, the offense will struggle to generate good opportunities.
Fortunately for Minnesota, DiVincenzo’s 3-point shooting threat gives the Timberwolves many options.
In lineups that don’t feature Edwards or circumstances where opponents help elsewhere and stay tight on DiVincenzo, there isn’t as much room for C&S shots. DiVincenzo still finds ways to be effective.
DiVincenzo evolves into a more dynamic offensive weapon when there isn’t a 3-point shot opportunity. Defenses react swiftly to DiVincenzo off of pin-downs and kickouts. Consequently, Minnesota loses the advantage if he doesn’t quickly dribble, pass, or shoot. Minnesota’s offense becomes more potent when DiVincenzo can make the next read promptly by finding a teammate on a swing across the perimeter or getting the ball past the defense inside the arc.
The Wolves have plugged DiVincenzo into two different roles
Minnesota has increasingly relied on DiVincenzo on the ball when Mike Conley or other ball-handlers are out. DiVincenzo is capable, although he struggles when initiating the offense and making reads off the dribble.
However, DiVincenzo’s playmaking talents can shine with the Timberwolves finally healthy. He thrives when DiVincenzo can be a complimentary playmaker, using his shooting strengths to generate good offense for the Wolves.
DiVincenzo has also become a chaos agent on defense
The Timberwolves have strong defensive infrastructure. They can fill all 48 minutes on the ball by rotating Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jaylen Clark to defend the opponent’s primary scoring option. Therefore, they aren’t giving DiVincenzo difficult matchups. Still, DiVincenzo is an effective defender within his role.
DiVincenzo has thrived in his return to the lineup by being a disruptive defender. All season, DiVincenzo has had a nose for the basketball. It hasn’t mattered where DiVincenzo has lined up on the court. He is always hustling after loose balls, aggressively sliding over to cut off passing lanes, or vertically contesting shots. DiVincenzo brings an element of mayhem to Minnesota’s relatively conservative defensive scheme.
With only 15 games remaining in the regular season, DiVincenzo has found his rhythm and balance offensively and defensively. It took a while for the Timberwolves to adjust to their new off-season additions and for DiVincenzo to acclimate to his fifth team in four seasons. Although now that DiVincenzo is easing back into more minutes and playing his best basketball of the season, there’s only upside with how malleable he has become as a player and how important his presence on the court has become for the Timberwolves.