There was no Villanova reunion.
There was no anticipated spat with Rick Brunson to keep watch over.
Former followers didn’t have the prospect to observe him play on the Backyard ground throughout what has been a sizzling streak for the Delaware native.
There was no New York return on Friday evening for former Knick Donte DiVincenzo, because the guard was sidelined for a second straight sport with a sprained toe.
And it is probably not his final watching from the sidelines.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch stated the crew is just not but certain if it’s a day-to-day harm or one thing to fret about long run.
“Out tonight and we’ll go from there,” he stated earlier than Friday evening’s sport on the Backyard.
Regardless of the absence, Tom Thibodeau was fast to reward his former participant together with Julius Randle, who confronted the Knicks for the primary time on the Backyard since being traded with DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Cities.
“Terrific. He [Randle] had a great run, helped lift the team up,” Thibodeau stated. “Not only excelled individually, but the team itself while he was here as well. So, did a terrific job for us, and Donte as well. Obviously, Donte was here for a lot less time, but he had a great impact. Both guys, classy guys. Played hard all the time and did a really good job for us.”
It marked DiVincenzo’s first DNP sport this season, well timed along with his return, and to the Timberwolves’ (21-19) drawback, throughout his sizzling streak.
DiVincenzo would have been coming off a 28-point evening, taking pictures 9-for-19 from the sphere and 6-for-12 from 3-point vary, together with six rebounds and 9 assists within the Timberwolves’ 116-115 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday.
“It’s a tough one for us. He had finally settled in,” Finch stated of lacking DiVincenzo. “He looked great. He was playing amazing, doing everything for us. Not just making shots, but he was rebounding, tough defense, and winning plays.”
Over the previous 11 video games, he averaged 16.4 factors on practically 45 p.c taking pictures and 43 p.c from deep.
He additionally joined Minnesota’s beginning lineup for the final six video games.
When the Knicks performed in Minnesota on Dec. 19, DiVincenzo dropped 15 factors on his former crew, which he nonetheless considers “family.”
“I’m still in contact with those guys all the time. It’s still family,” DiVincenzo stated in December. “I watch games and everything, but it’s different, a different viewpoint if you will — more so just a fan of the guys that are over there. Wish them nothing but success, individually and collectively.”
