Donte DiVincenzo pushes rehab while Brazile impresses in Nuggets debut

DiVincenzo aims to beat the timetable in Minnesota

Despite concern that he could be sidelined for an entire season after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs, Donte DiVincenzo is still targeting a return to the floor for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The guard is about six months into his rehab and has circled a personal target date for game action, though he prefers to keep that internal for now. In the meantime, he is trying to impact the team in other ways, serving as a sounding board in the locker room during the grind of the year.

To navigate the long recovery from such a serious injury, DiVincenzo has leaned on players who have gone through similar adversity. He has reached out to Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton and others for guidance on how to structure his work and handle the inevitable plateaus. He said those conversations are especially valuable on days when progress feels slow, noting that their experiences help "push you along" when motivation dips.

DiVincenzo’s situation is complicated by his contract status, as he is headed for free agency next summer with a $12.5MM deal set to expire. He has already spoken with president of basketball operations Tim Connelly about his future, but stresses that no assurances have been given. Aware that front offices must make business decisions, he points to his presence in the locker room and his approach off the floor as part of his value, beyond what shows up in traditional box-score numbers.

Brazile seizes opportunity in Nuggets’ rotation

In Denver, the preseason opener gave rookie forward Trevon Brazile an early showcase. With Spencer Jones sidelined by a hamstring strain, the second-round pick moved up in the Nuggets’ rotation and logged 20 minutes. He finished with seven points, three rebounds and two blocks, a stat line that highlighted both his activity on defence and his willingness to contribute offensively.

Teammate Julian Strawther praised Brazile’s all-around game, suggesting he brings elements the Nuggets have been missing as a group. Strawther pointed to Brazile’s defensive range and confident shooting as traits that could help Denver’s second unit, while emphasizing that the rookie is more than just an athlete. If he continues to make the most of his chances, Brazile could strengthen the competition for frontcourt minutes behind the established core.

Encouraging health updates for Jazz, tougher summer for SGA

The Utah Jazz also received positive news on the health front. Jaren Jackson Jr., acquired in a February trade but limited to three appearances before being shut down for the season, is believed to be back to normal following knee surgery. A fully available Jackson would give Utah an important interior piece after the team had to finish last season without him.

Rookie Darryn Peterson, who dealt with cramping issues last year at Kansas, hasn’t experienced those problems with the Jazz so far. Instead, he has reportedly stood out for his endurance, an encouraging sign for a young player trying to carve out a role. For a roster balancing veterans and prospects, having both Jackson and Peterson trending in the right direction physically is a welcome development.

In Oklahoma City, longtime trainer Nem Ilic discussed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s response to the Thunder’s playoff loss to San Antonio. Ilic said the setback prompted him to upgrade the star guard’s offseason regimen, increasing the demands of the program. The goal is to better equip Gilgeous-Alexander for the physical and tactical challenges of future playoff runs as Oklahoma City aims to keep climbing the Western Conference ladder.