Donte DiVincenzo has suffered a setback with his Donte DiVincenzo turf toe injury, which will prevent him from joining the Italian national basketball team for this summer’s competitions. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard aggravated the same injury that sidelined him for about six weeks last NBA season, leading to his withdrawal from the team’s upcoming World Cup and Olympic preparations.
In a message to fans, DiVincenzo shared his disappointment, explaining,
“Unfortunately, I’m sorry, I will not be able to join the national team this summer due to a physical issue over the last few days forced me to make this difficult, difficult decision,”
followed by,
“But my goal remains the same, and it remains with the journey of Italian basketball going forward with World Cup, and the Olympics — and for a very long time. I just wanted to show my commitment, send my best of luck to the team, and see you all soon.”
Details of the Injury and Recovery Outlook
The Italian national team coordinator, Gigi Datome, revealed that DiVincenzo’s trouble stems from a recurrence of a prior turf toe injury, specifically involving his big toe. Initially, DiVincenzo sustained this injury on January 15 of the previous season, which kept him off the court until late February.
Datome emphasized this point at a press conference, saying,
“Donte DiVincenzo has suffered a recurrence of a physical problem.”
He added that specialists recommended weeks of rest and recovery, confirming that DiVincenzo would not be ready in time for Italy’s summer tournaments.
According to Datome, the Timberwolves franchise had cleared DiVincenzo to resume training on July 21; however, between July 22 and 23, the player experienced renewed discomfort in his big toe. Datome disclosed,
“We set a deadline yesterday, and according to doctors and specialists, we were talking about three to four months of therapy, so it wasn’t possible,”
and further noted,
“He sent the video to show that we were on the same page. That’s how it went.”
Impact on DiVincenzo’s Season and Team Prospects
The information regarding a 3-4 month therapy period is not entirely clear, as it remains uncertain if this timeline is strictly medical advice upheld by the Timberwolves or if it accounts for prior recovery steps already undertaken. Despite this ambiguity, the player’s current discomfort has definitively ruled him out from representing Italy in the immediate future.
This absence marks a significant blow for the Italian squad, as DiVincenzo had been expected to contribute notably to their World Cup and Olympic ambitions due to his NBA experience and skill set. His injury adds to the physical challenges national teams face when elite players battle recurring setbacks.
Context within Minnesota Timberwolves and Local Sports Scene
DiVincenzo’s injury also reverberates within the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, where he plays an important role as a guard. The Timberwolves have dealt with his absence before during the NBA season, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to injury management.
Sports journalist Joe Nelson, who has extensive experience covering Minnesota teams including the Timberwolves, Vikings, and Twins, has followed this development closely. Nelson’s background in Minnesota sports journalism and radio shows adds insight into the local sports landscape affected by such injuries. The hopes for DiVincenzo’s return hinge on successful rehabilitation and avoiding further setbacks that could impact both his NBA season and international play.