Just over a minute into Game 4, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo devastatingly tore his right Achilles tendon. On Sunday afternoon, the Wolves announced that DiVincenzo will undergo surgery today with Dr. Martin O'Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Notably, Dr. O'Malley also performed surgery on Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton less than 24 hours after their respective Achilles injuries in last year's playoffs. Of course, Tatum remarkably returned in less than a year (298 days in fact) after his injury. Tatum's immediate surgery is said to be a key reason for his quick return.
According to medical experts, this rapid surgery leads to quicker recovery and more favorable long-term outcomes.
Jayson Tatum's recovery after getting immediate surgery should give everyone hope about Donte DiVincenzo
Tatum tore his Achilles on May 12 before returning to the court on March 6. With DiVincenzo's injury occurring in late April, he may return in late February, perhaps after the All-Star break. Undoubtedly, everyone is rooting for this outcome and wishing DiVincenzo a safe recovery.
While every individual is different, DiVincenzo getting surgery so quickly bodes well for his ability to return at some point next season. Likewise, while it would be awesome to see him return next season, there should be no pressure on DiVincenzo to do so.
In any event, Tatum's recovery certainly provides optimism that a return next season could be possible.
In his 16 regular season games back from his injury, Tatum averaged 21.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. He is also averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in the playoffs. Tatum not just returning but playing at a high level from the get-go should further give everyone hope for DiVincenzo.
Simply getting a rapid surgery won't magically allow DiVincenzo to recover as Tatum did -- he will, of course, have to be relentless during his recovery process.
DiVincenzo is a tenacious worker who was one of just four players across the league to start in all 82 games this year. In every game this season, his contagious energy and relentless motor constantly uplifted the Timberwolves. Undoubtedly, he has the perfect mindset and elite work ethic to crush this challenging recovery process.
DiVincenzo has a long journey ahead of him, and there's no sugarcoating the severity of this injury.
Nevertheless, Tatum's rapid return and impressive play following the injury provide reason for optimism that DiVincenzo can make a full recovery -- and that's exactly what everyone wants to see.
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