Morning Sports Update

Timberwolves coach appreciated Jayson Tatum’s comments after Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles injury

"I know Donte heard them, and [Tatum's] been such a great example of what’s possible."

Jayson Tatum Donte DiVincenzo Achilles
Jayson Tatum during the Celtics' playoff series against the 76ers. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

By Hayden Bird

4 minutes to read

Jayson Tatum and Donte DiVincenzo: Though he made it look almost easy, Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics‘ lineup from a ruptured Achilles last May was no small feat.

The Celtics star worked hard while simultaneously not pushing too quickly through rehab following surgery to repair the injury, rejoining the Boston lineup in March. While the 28-year-old is still finding his old form, his example is already being held up as a success story for others.

The subject came up again over the weekend after Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo went down with a ruptured right Achilles tendon in a playoff loss to the Nuggets on Saturday.

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Tatum was asked in Boston’s postgame press conference on Sunday about DiVincenzo, and if he’d reached out.

“I was watching the game yesterday, and it was tough seeing that. I never want anybody to go through that injury and just what’s to come in the rehab process,” he said. “I only know him from, like, competing against him and things like that, but I know for a fact I’m going to reach out to him at some point. It just happened [Saturday] and there’s a lot going on for him. I’m glad he got his surgery [Sunday]. My thoughts and prayers have been with him.

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“Hopefully it went [successfully]. I have no doubt about that,” Tatum added. “You never want to see anybody injured, especially that one. I was definitely like sick to my stomach [Saturday] seeing him go down because I know exactly how he’s feeling. I know exactly what he has to go through. But now, I’m going to be a resource, reach out to him. He has me in his corner, whether he’s going to like it or not. I’ll definitely reach out to him soon.”

The comments were obviously well received. This was true within the Minnesota organization itself as Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch personally referenced Tatum while talking to reporters on Monday.

“Jayson Tatum’s comments I thought were super classy,” Finch told reporters when asked about the conversations he’s had with DiVincenzo. “Kind and compassionate. Mean a lot.

“I know Donte heard them, and [Tatum’s] been such a great example of what’s possible. Of course, top-notch medical team and rehab team around him. It certainly provides inspiration, and that’s what you need when you come back from an injury like that. That confidence in all the steps, just to kind of keep going.”

Trivia: Donte DiVincenzo was selected 17th overall by the Bucks in the 2018 NBA Draft. Who did the Celtics pick in the first round that year?

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(Answer at the bottom.)

Hint: He was picked 27th overall out of Texas A&M.

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 5-0 on Monday. The two teams play again this evening in Toronto at 7:07 p.m.

Tonight, the Celtics face the 76ers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Boston leads the series 3-1, and would clinch a spot in the next round with a win. The game tips off at TD Garden at 7 p.m.

The Bruins get underway 30 minutes later in Buffalo, facing the Sabres in Game 5 of their own playoff series. The circumstances are reversed for the Bruins, who — trailing in the series 3-1 — face elimination with a loss.

Tomorrow, Legacy FC host the North Carolina Courage at Gillette Stadium at 7 p.m.

Also on Wednesday, the Revolution play Orlando City in a U.S. Open Cup game at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket at 7:30 p.m.

And on Thursday, the Fleet begin the 2026 PWHL playoffs at the Tsongas Center in Game 1 against the Ottawa Charge at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

From the weekend: Olivia Pichardo, a senior at Brown University who made history in 2022 as the first woman to make a Division I baseball roster (and again in 2023 as the first woman to play in a game at that level), has achieved another unprecedented feat.

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On Saturday, Pichardo was called in to pitch, retiring the only batter she faced via groundout. It was the first time a woman has ever pitched in a Division I game. Brown got the win against Cornell, 16-4.

On this day: In 1966, the Celtics held on to defeat the Lakers 95-93 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It was the final game of Red Auerbach’s (official) coaching career, and a remarkable eighth consecutive NBA championship.

Daily highlight: The Denver Nuggets’ mascot, Rocky, more than won the race to be today’s highlight, nailing an absolutely impossible no-look shot from atop (multiple) ladders.

Trivia answer: Robert Williams

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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