Could Donte DiVincenzo Return Faster Than Jayson Tatum? News on Wolves Star Emerges

The Minnesota Timberwolves have one foot into the second round following a Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets. However, they are not in the most ideal scenario roster-wise with two of their starters down to injuries.

Just 79 seconds into Saturday night’s game, starting guard Donte DiVincenzo went down hurt and suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. Anthony Edwards also went out hurt with a leg injury with the 24-year-old suffering from a knee hyperextension.

DiVincenzo’s non-contact injury immediately ended his consistent season and cast a shadow over the Timberwolves’ 3-1 series lead.

Could DiVincenzo Draw Inspiration From Tatum?

Losing two starters in the same half was not what head coach Chris Finch and Minnesota wanted. Edwards’ was probably looming as he had been risked by Minnesota and playing through pain. However, DiVincenzo’s injury came out of the blue and the process will require surgery, followed by the standard nine-to-12-month rehabilitation timeline most NBA players face after an Achilles rupture.

DiVincenzo played and started all 82 regular-season games. His highest start was 66 games way back in 2020-21 with the Milwaukee Bucks. That season also ended with a torn ligament in the first round for the guard, which ruled him out for the postseason. 

The long-term outlook for his injury is unknown at the moment. But it invites direct comparison to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. 

The Celtics star ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the 2025 playoffs and he returned to full action in March this year. His recovery was considered accelerated and he came back like he never left. 

Tatum worked with the same specialist who treated Kevin Durant’s Achilles years earlier, began early rehab protocols, and by six to eight weeks post-surgery was already performing calf-strength exercises. Three months after surgery, he wasn’t walking with protective boots, and by the turn of the year, he was having workout sessions.

Of course, every Achilles tear is unique but Minnesota will key into having a quick surgery for DiVincenzo as Tatum’s early surgery was vital to his quick return. The Celtics opted for surgery less than 24 hours after the forward went down. 

It is also worthy to note that Tatum’s return is one in an unlikely list. Both Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard suffered the same injury in the postseason last year but neither returned this season.

Timberwolves Push Forward Despite Dual Blows

Minnesota will look to carry on and see off the remainder of the series without Edwards and DiVincenzo. Ayo Dosunmu is shining at the right time as he scored a career-high 43 points off the bench — the highest-scoring playoff performance by a reserve in 50 years.

Naz Reid and the rest of the supporting cast stepped up to hold off a Nuggets team that had pushed the series to the brink. The Game 4 win is a huge positive to take for Minnesota amid the double injuries.

The good news is that Edwards’ knee injury appears less catastrophic. This won’t be his first rodeo with knee issues as he had endured them throughout the year. Team officials have not yet provided a firm timeline, but the injury is not expected to sideline him beyond the immediate series or early second round at worst.

For DiVincenzo however, if the timeline for an Achilles injury holds, the Timberwolves wouldn’t expect him to be back until close to the postseason next year. 

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