There's no way to sugarcoat it; the Minnesota Timberwolves' energy, particularly from Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, has been lackluster all season long. Thursday's 94-88 win over the Los Angeles Clippers was yet another instance of sluggish play from the Wolves.
Edwards' contested 3-pointer (and subsequent exchange with Chris Finch), which put the Wolves up by four points with less than a minute to go, will make all the highlight reels. However, make no mistake, Donte DiVincenzo willed this team back into the game with hustle and scoring. On a team where you can question the effort level of several players, DiVincenzo's energy can simply never be doubted.
Every single night, he gives the Wolves a spark not just with his shooting but with all-around grit and energy. DiVincenzo's 18 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals against the Clippers might not jump off the page, but make no mistake, without him, the Timberwolves wouldn't have won this game. Here are two of my favorite hustle plays from Thursday's game.
Donte DiVincenzo's energy is exactly what the Timberwolves need
DiVincenzo's ability to force steals really stands out. He notably ranks in the 84th percentile for deflections per 100 possessions and the 77th percentile for steals per 100 possessions according to Databallr. The Big Ragu has an uncanny knack for finding the ball, whether it be jumping passing lanes or ripping it out from the hands of opposing ball handlers.
Furthermore, on a possession-by-possession basis, he rotates quickly and never takes a play off. Does he get burned from time to time? Sure, but it's never due to a lack of effort. The Wolves' poor effort has hurt the team all season long, but Donte has ensured that this problem won't sink the team's chances. When the Wolves' effort is waning, DiVincenzo seemingly reaches another level.
DiVincenzo isn't the only player who gives it their all on every play; Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and the newly acquired Ayo Dosunmu all stand out in this regard. However, DiVincenzo often seems like the catalyst of these high-energy plays. This type of energy can be contagious, and it's something the Wolves desperately need.
Most fans know DiVincenzo for his offense and understandably so, as he's one of the league's best 3-point shooters. Notably, he is shooting 39.1 percent from beyond the arc while ranking fourth in 3-pointers per game. DiVincenzo's efficient playmaking also uplifts the Wolves' offense; he is posting a career-best 2.79 assist-to-turnover ratio while taking on more ball-handling duties this season.
On/off numbers aren't a perfect measure, but it's not a coincidence that the Wolves are 8.9 points better per 100 possessions with Donte on the court. In short, DiVincenzo provides a stellar all-around impact, and amid overall concerns about the team's effort, he stands out in the best way possible.