Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles Tear Has Furthered a Strange NBA Playoff Trend
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles tendon 79 seconds into the Minnesota Timberwolves' Game 4 win against the Denver Nuggets, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehab.
- This injury adds to a strange pattern where only NBA players wearing the jersey number 0—DiVincenzo, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum—have suffered Achilles tears during the past two postseasons.
- Minnesota also lost star Anthony Edwards to a knee injury in the same game, complicating their pursuit of advancing in the playoffs as they lead the series 3-1.
- DiVincenzo had been a key contributor during the season and postseason, averaging 12.2 points per game and scoring consistently against Denver before his injury.
- The Timberwolves face a tough challenge in Game 5 against a Nikola Jokić-led Nuggets team as they aim to close out the series despite significant injuries.
