Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Donte DiVincenzo achieves historic feat in Timberwolves win

By Matt Evans | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 8:12 AM ET

In a commanding 116-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves showcased their depth and resilience. While Anthony Edwards stole the spotlight with a dominant 44-point performance, Donte DiVincenzo made history with a standout showing off the bench.

DiVincenzo provided a major spark, recording 24 points, two rebounds, two assists, and five steals. He was highly efficient, shooting 8-of-14 from the field and draining an eye-catching eight three-pointers, while attempting just one shot inside the arc. His ability to catch fire from long range gave Minnesota a crucial offensive boost at key moments throughout the game.

In addition to his scoring, DiVincenzo’s defensive activity helped swing momentum in the Timberwolves’ favor. By registering five steals, he matched his career high and continuously disrupted Phoenix’s offensive flow.

According to Opta Stats, the 28-year-old became the first player in NBA history to record at least seven made threes and five steals in a game off the bench, cementing his place in the record books.

With his seven three-pointers and career-high-tying five steals, Donte DiVincenzo becomes the first player in @NBA history with 7+ made threes and 5+ steals off the bench. H/t @OptaSTATS pic.twitter.com/cvG0WeWyQI
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) March 3, 2025

Since the All-Star break, DiVincenzo has averaged 15 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting an impressive 51.7 percent from beyond the arc on nearly 10 attempts per contest. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor has made him an increasingly valuable piece for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota also received a significant boost from Julius Randle, who made his return after missing 13 games. Randle contributed 20 points, six rebounds and three assists, providing a much-needed inside scoring presence. Jaden McDaniels also made an impact, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals, further reinforcing the Timberwolves' defensive identity.

On the Suns’ side, Kevin Durant led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Bradley Beal and Devin Booker chipped in with 18 and 17 points, respectively. However, Phoenix struggled with ball security, committing 22 turnovers, which led to 40 points for Minnesota. Their shooting struggles continued, as they have now lost 11 of their last 14 games, raising concerns about their ability to turn things around down the stretch.

Matt Evans

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports. Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

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