Throughout his career, Donte DiVincenzo hasn't been known for his defense. That's not to say he's known as an awful defender. However, most fans simply know the Minnesota Timberwolves guard as a sharpshooter.
As I've written about before, though, DiVincenzo's impact exceeds his mainstream label as a sharpshooter, and one aspect of his game that has impressed me is his defensive playmaking and energy in general.
Notably, The Big Ragu is averaging a career-high 1.9 stocks. Furthermore, according to Databallr, DiVincenzo ranks in the 74th percentile for steals per 100 possessions and the 78th percentile for deflections per 100 possessions. DiVincenzo's defensive playmaking has been solid throughout his career, but it has never been better than this year.
Wednesday's win over the Dallas Mavericks is the perfect example of DiVincenzo's impact as a defensive playmaker. He racked up a season high five steals en route to a 118-105 win. DiVincenzo especially excels at playing the passing lanes and jumping passes like a cornerback in football. This skill set was on full display during Wednesday's win.
All 5 of Donte DiVincenzo's steals vs. the Mavericks
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) January 29, 2026
His defensive playmaking and energy have been key to the Wolves' success this season pic.twitter.com/1XYUYfxG9y
DiVincenzo's energy and defensive playmaking uplift the Wolves
The Timberwolves energy, especially on defense, has waxed and waned throughout the year. However, DiVincenzo gives it his all every single night -- heck, every single play. This grit and energy greatly benefit the Wolves, especially after losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency.
While we saw a bit of this impact from DiVincenzo last year, it feels like he's reached another level this season.
I'm not here to say, DiVincenzo is a defensive stopper -- that seems a bit too far-fetched. Nevertheless, his relentless hustle and defensive playmaking allow him to make a positive impact on defense. And frankly, if you don't watch Timberwolves games a ton, this might surprise you.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota's defense is 7.2 points per 100 possessions better with DiVincenzo on the floor -- only Rudy Gobert has a stronger on/off defensive swing on the team. Likewise, the Wolves are 8.2 points per 100 possessions better overall with DiVincenzo on the court -- which is a team high.
Offensively, his impact as a 3-point shooter, connective playmaker, and self-creator is immense. The Wolves' new look starting five with DiVincenzo has a plus-7 net rating. None of these numbers is a coincidence -- DiVincenzo makes an incredible, well-rounded impact, and his defensive playmaking is perhaps the most underrated aspect of his skill set.
While the Wolves are looking to upgrade their point guard depth at the deadline, expect DiVincenzo to remain a crucial part of the team's success past February 5.