Villanova in the Pros: Donte DiVincenzo Back From Injury

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard and former Villanova Wildcat Donte DiVincenzo returned to game action on Thursday, Feb. 27 after missing nearly six weeks with a sprained toe ligament.

Prior to his injury, DiVincenzo, who won a pair of national championships with Villanova, had worked his way into the Timberwolves’ starting lineup after beginning the season in a reserve role. Now he’s back to the bench, working his way back to full speed in limited minutes.

DiVincenzo played 23 minutes in Minnesota’s 111-102 Feb. 27 road loss to the Lakers, making three of six shots — all from three-point range — on the way to a solid all-around performance, posting nine points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal. DiVincenzo also wasn’t afraid to mix things up, committing three shooting fouls… perhaps a sign of his improving health and physicality.

Up next for the Timberwolves is a Friday, Feb. 28 road date with the Utah Jazz, the second leg of a back-to-back. Minnesota currently has DiVincenzo listed as questionable for that matchup as he continues to make a full recovery.

Elsewhere in the NBA, former Villanova stars Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart all went off during the Knicks’ Feb. 26 win over Philadelphia. Brunson picked up 34 points and seven assists, keying New York’s offense with Karl-Anthony Towns out due to injury. Bridges dropped 28 points, including 19 in the first quarter, while Hart impacted the game as only he knows how, pulling down 17 rebounds as a spark plug of a shooting guard.