By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ victory over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena to tie their best-of-seven series in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, on Monday, Anthony Edwards lauded the late-game heroics of teammate Donte DiVincenzo. The 29-year-old Italian-American sharpshooter scored seven of his 16 points in the final four minutes to maintain the lead under pressure.
“I love Donte. I told him after the game, he got gorilla nuts,” Ante said during his post-game press conference. “He’s willing to take any kind of shot at any moment of the game, no matter how far it is. You’ve got to live with it because he makes those. I believe his confidence is at an all-time high, and I believe every time he shoots, that it’s going in, because I watch him work, and he doesn’t miss shots in workouts.”
Reflecting on the Game 2 win, DiVincenzo emphasized the team’s resilience. “We just stayed together, weathered the storm,” he said.
The former NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 also expressed faith in Rudy Gobert’s defensive assignment against Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic, adding, “We have all the confidence in the world in him, and we trusted that matchup. We trust that one-on-one.”
The French starting center focused on the grit required to face the Joker in the fourth quarter despite being in foul trouble. “Just competing, making him for everything, and just being myself,” Gobert mentioned.
The 33-year-old Saint-Quentin native also acknowledged DiVincenzo’s overall impact on the floor. “Donte makes winning plays. Even on the nights the shots don’t go in, he’s going to get some rebounds, contest shots at the rim, be physical on defense,” he said. “Tonight, he made a few shots and a big one down the stretch, so I love it. A winning player.”
Moving to the Target Center, Game 3 follows on Thursday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 0-1 (101-112)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-0 (126-113, 115-105)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 1-1 (113-102, 106-107)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 1-0 (123-91)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 1-0 (119-84)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 1-0 (107-98)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1 (126-115, 114-119)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 1-0 (111-98)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions