Donte DiVincenzo’s Injury: Impact on Timberwolves’ Rotation
The Minnesota Timberwolves are facing a significant challenge as Donte DiVincenzo has been ruled out for at least the upcoming game against the New York Knicks, with a strong likelihood of a longer absence. This injury comes at a crucial time, as DiVincenzo has been a key contributor, recently tying for the team lead with 28 points in the Wolves’ last game against the Warriors.
DiVincenzo’s absence will undoubtedly impact the Timberwolves’ rotation, but it remains to be seen how head coach Chris Finch goes about attempting to replicate his role and overall production.
Chris Finch’s Has A Few Options When It Comes To Replacing DiVincenzo
Finch could re-insert veteran Mike Conley in the starting lineup, but is seems more likely that the solution will be to start Nickeil Alexander-Walker and inserting rookie Rob Dillingham into the rotation off the bench.
Interestingly, while Dillingham’s overall performance this season has been mixed, he has shown promise in lineups without DiVincenzo. In an extremely small sample size of 89 possessions, Dillingham lineups without DiVincenzo have been incredibly effective, ranking in the 99th percentile with a plus-17.9 net rating. This is a stark contrast to Dillingham’s overall numbers, which show a minus-20.9 net rating across all his minutes. It’s unclear why there’s such a drastic difference, and we could certainly chalk it up to small sample sizes, but, at this stage at least, it’s intriguing enough to give some hope to certain lineups that feature Dillingham.
In this scenario, Mike Conley can remain in his current role, with Naz Reid continuing to provide a spark as a reserve. The bench unit would then feature feature Conley, Reid, Dillingham, and Josh Minott.
Challenging Upcoming Matchups for the Timberwolves
Upcoming games against the Knicks and Cavaliers present different challenges for the Wolves. The Knicks matchup might be more favorable for Dillingham to play extended minutes, as their slower pace and bigger guards could allow him to push the tempo and create opportunities. However, the Cavaliers game could be more problematic, given their smaller, more skilled guards and Dillingham’s recent return from an ankle injury.
As the Timberwolves navigate this stretch without DiVincenzo, they’ll need to focus on limiting turnovers, especially against opportunistic teams like the Knicks. While New York doesn’t force many turnovers, they excel at converting them into points, ranking first in points per play off of steals.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ rotation adjustments and upcoming matchups, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Preview of the Timberwolves vs. Knicks game
• Analysis of the Cavaliers’ recent performance and matchup implications
• Discussion of the Timberwolves’ best non-DiVincenzo lineups
