Timberwolves handle San Antonio, getting offense and defense from Donte DiVincenzo

Just as he did Friday night in Houston, Timberwolves reserve guard Donte DiVincenzo checked into Sunday’s game against San Antonio at Target Center and didn’t check out.

The Wolves won both games coming from behind, winning Sunday 112-110 with DiVincenzo scoring 26 points, with five three-pointers made.

And doing the scoring every which way, whether shooting from deep, driving to finish with a finger roll or making a hustle play to keep ball possession late in the game.

At Houston, his 36.3 minutes, 22 points and six three-pointers all were season highs.

On Friday, he played 33:41. and his 26 points topped Friday while his five threes fell one shy of Friday’s total.

On Sunday, DiVincenzo entered with 5:35 left in the third quarter and played the rest of the game against a Spurs team featuring 7-foot-3 sensation Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama scored 34 points, made four threes and grabbed eight rebounds but couldn’t get a three-pointer to fall when needed near game’s end.

Wolves coach Chris Finch called DiVincenzo’s recent play “rounding into form” for a team that now has gutted out three consecutive victories after losing three consecutively before that. And before that, the Wolves had won six of seven.

On Sunday, after the opening tip was delayed an hour because of an issue with the team’s “City Edition” court, DiVincenzo entered the game and just kept playing.

“He played for Thibs, so he played like 40 minutes every night,” Finch said, referring to former Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau and his reputation for playing fewer players longer. “He doesn’t seem to tire. He plays with the same intensity the whole time, and we just kept rolling.”

Finch praised the pace with which DiVincenzo, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, starter Julius Randle and on Sunday Josh Minott played together.

DiVincenzo said the first four or five minutes when he enters the game are the most important. He helped provide the springboard late in the first quarter that led to a 32-12 second quarter that changed the game.

“Absolutely, pushing the pace,” he said. “Trying to change the game, whether if we come out flat, pick it up. If we’re out coming out fast, playing strong, just take it a new level. I think that’s what we did, coming out of the first into the second. That’s when you saw everybody get a little bit of energy, a little bit of happiness and everybody started playing a little harder.”

Randle had eight, eight, seven and six assists in the four games before Sunday and said at times he’s playing “point forward” for the Wolves after he and DiVincenzo were traded for Karl-Anthony Towns in a preseason blockbuster.

“We played together last year so we kind of know where each other likes the ball, what the other is going to do,” Randle said. “There’s just a synergy, so it’s easy to find him. He’s always on the move, cutting, relocating. I try to get him easy looks, good looks. He just opens the game up.”

DiVincenzo said his play has improved as he acclimated after the stunning trade.

“What do you think?” he asked. “I was at home, chilling. The next thing you know, I was on a flight going to Minnesota. At the same time, the conversations I had with teammates, coaches, that at-home feel. I love reassurance: Just go play. Don’t worry about anything. Just get comfortable and be yourself. Just go out there and hoop.

“There’s a grace period I have to give myself as well. Understand it’s a new offense, a new city, new everything. Understand take the good with the bad. Just go out and do it.”

On Sunday, he shot his shot, going 8-for-15 from the field, 5-for-10 on three-pointers. He made five of six free throws, got seven rebounds. And he made the hustle plays, particularly late in a game the Spurs once led by 15.

“Whatever shot I get is a good shot, and everybody knows that,” DiVincenzo said. “It’s always been my calling to do those little plays, getting back more often. That’s who I am. That’s my identity, and that’s the identity of our team.”