Donte DiVincenzo’s doctor is optimistic the Minnesota Timberwolves guard will return from his Achilles injury during the 2026-27 season, saying he is on schedule or even ahead of it.
The Timberwolves shared footage of DiVincenzo’s medical evaluation and rehabilitation on Sunday, November 1.
“We can easily say you’re on schedule, if not certainly ahead of schedule with your strength and all your numbers,” the doctor said during the evaluation. He added that returning this season had been the goal from the beginning: “That’s not even a question.”
DiVincenzo said receiving that confirmation helped him approach the next stage of rehabilitation with greater confidence.
“Basically his words match how I’m feeling,” he said. “It just gives you this feeling of just being optimistic of what you think your timeline is, is realistic and doable.”
The 29-year-old also described the mental challenges of recovering from an Achilles injury and explained how the doctor’s assessment affected his approach to training.
“I think half this rehab is just a mental battle,” DiVincenzo said. He added that hearing he could progress and do more helped him push harder without being afraid.
The evaluation took place six months after DiVincenzo suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round playoff series in 2026.
The medical staff said his double-leg jump measurements were nearly 10% symmetrical with his pre-injury levels, while his single-leg force output was approaching twice his body weight.
DiVincenzo also said he had started performing single-leg floaters and finishes on the court, adding that the work felt normal. He described his approach to returning as straightforward: “The only thing I’m not doing is playing.”
DiVincenzo started all 82 games for Minnesota last season, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 30.4 minutes. He is on an expiring four-year, $46.87 million contract.
