Timberwolves’ DiVincenzo Reflects on Warriors Influence Amid Playoff Struggles

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Donte DiVincenzo, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is looking to his past with the Golden State Warriors to inspire his performance amid his team’s shooting slump in the playoffs. The Timberwolves faced the Warriors in Game 1 of the postseason on Tuesday, and DiVincenzo hopes to leverage his experience with the Warriors for success.

During his short time with the Sacramento Kings, DiVincenzo averaged 10.3 points per game. After being traded in February 2022 and subsequently being released, he found his footing during a stint with the Warriors. “I give credit to Golden State for reviving my career,” DiVincenzo said. “It helped me get back to being the player I know I am.”

In the playoff opener, the Timberwolves lost to the Warriors 99-88, a game where DiVincenzo recorded only seven points, three rebounds, and four assists, shooting 1-for-7 from three-point range. His scoring this postseason has dipped to 7.8 points per game, raising concerns about his performance as the series progresses.

While DiVincenzo’s struggles have been apparent, Wolves head coach Chris Finch emphasized DiVincenzo’s commitment to the team, saying, “He’s made small winning plays that have helped us.” DiVincenzo continues to adapt his playing style, looking for ways to impact the game beyond just scoring, especially against a Golden State team he knows well.

DiVincenzo connected with Warriors star Steph Curry during his tenure in Golden State. “What he does shooting-wise, you can’t replicate it,” DiVincenzo said. Their conversations often focused on Curry’s preparation and recovery techniques rather than pure shooting mechanics.

Coach Finch highlighted how DiVincenzo had brought some of the Warriors’ signature off-ball movement to Minnesota, but the Wolves struggled to replicate that effectiveness against Golden State’s tight defense. They only managed to hit five three-pointers compared to Golden State’s 18.

As the Timberwolves look to improve in Game 2, the pressure is on DiVincenzo and his teammates to demonstrate offensive consistency. “You hope the good outweighs the bad,” Wolves guard Anthony Edwards said, reflecting on their shooting performance. “We’ve got to find a way to get back to our rhythm.”

The Timberwolves and Warriors will face off again soon, and DiVincenzo’s role could be pivotal in shifting the series in Minnesota’s favor.