Donte DiVincenzo played all 82 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. He tore his right Achilles in Game 4 against Denver during the playoffs. Anthony Edwards averaged 33.3 points through his first four games this year, helping Minnesota start 3-1.
Now Edwards is out too, and the Timberwolves have lost two of three games since being ruled out. A new medical update gives the team a reason to plan for DiVincenzo's return, but his recovery and the immediate scoring problem are two different issues. Minnesota must cover both losses with players who were not expected to handle so much of the backcourt workload.
The Timberwolves shared footage of DiVincenzo's medical evaluation on November 1, six months after the injury. Dr. Martin O'Malley reviewed his strength and movement tests during the appointment.
O'Malley said DiVincenzo was "on schedule, if not certainly ahead of schedule" based on his strength and test results. He also confirmed that returning during the 2026-27 season had been the goal from the beginning.
DiVincenzo has resumed on-court shooting and single-leg finishing drills. That is good news for later in the season, but it does not make up for the scoring Minnesota lost.
Edwards underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on October 29. The Timberwolves said he is expected to make a full recovery, while reports indicate he could miss up to two months.
Jaden McDaniels leads Minnesota's remaining scorers with 17.3 points per game, and Ayo Dosunmu follows at 15.3.
Both can help replace some of Edwards' production, but neither has been asked to carry an offense for an extended stretch without its leading scorer. The sample is small, yet the record tells the story, as Minnesota went from 3-1 to 4-3.
Against San Antonio , LaMelo Ball made only two of 10 shots and finished with five turnovers against four assists. He is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists, but shooting 39.3% from the field.
The medical staff also reported that DiVincenzo's single-leg force output was approaching twice his body weight. His double-leg jump measurements were nearing his pre-injury range.
Those numbers show progress, but they do not mean he is ready to play. DiVincenzo's return is a real possibility, but he still needs to build up to full-speed practices and regain the strength required for NBA games.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after a three-pointer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points last season, well below the 33.3 points Edwards scored through his first four appearances this year. His 37.9% three-point shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists explain why he can still help Minnesota without taking over the offense.
He made 244 three-pointers last season, averaging three per game. That shooting can punish defenses that send extra help toward Ball or pack the lane against drives. His 3.8 assists also give Minnesota another guard who can move the ball and create chances after the first action breaks down.
DiVincenzo also averaged 1.3 steals per game last season. His return would give the Timberwolves another dependable perimeter defender and a shooter who does not need the ball on every possession. Josh Green, who was expected to fill DiVincenzo's role while the 29-year-old recovered, was dealt to Utah to create salary cap space for Jonathan Kuminga . Thus, leaving Terrence Shannon Jr. to fill the void behind Ball and Dosunmu.
The immediate plan has to involve the guards already available. Minnesota should track Ball's turnovers, his shooting percentage, the scoring from Dosunmu and McDaniels, and how often opponents can crowd Ball. Ball needs to reduce his turnovers without giving up his role as the main passer.
Dosunmu and McDaniels must keep attacking, while Dosunmu's glue role can help the rest of the rotation create enough offense to stop opponents from packing the lane. That is a collective task, not a job for one replacement.
DiVincenzo's progress can improve Minnesota's outlook later in the season, but the team cannot wait for him to solve a problem that exists now. The coaching staff needs a workable offense before the next stretch of games.
Minnesota should use the next several weeks to find out whether its current guards can keep the offense steady. Ball's 39.3% shooting and the 4-3 record show the offense is thin without Edwards.
If the guards cannot fix it, the front office may need to add another scorer rather than wait for DiVincenzo. His recovery gives the team another option later, but it should not become the plan for surviving Edwards' absence.
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Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
