The Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves on the brink of elimination after a crushing 128-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals. In the aftermath of the defeat, veteran guard Donte DiVincenzo voiced his frustration, pointing to two glaring weaknesses that plagued the Timberwolves throughout the matchup—offensive rebounds and turnovers. For DiVincenzo, these aren’t just minor hiccups. They are, as he bluntly stated, “unacceptable” at this critical stage of the postseason.
Minnesota was thoroughly outworked on the glass, surrendering 19 offensive rebounds to an energetic Thunder squad that capitalized on second-chance points. These extra possessions were instrumental in Oklahoma City’s ability to maintain scoring momentum and keep the Timberwolves’ defense under pressure. DiVincenzo, known for his hustle and defensive tenacity, was candid postgame about the team’s inability to secure crucial rebounds when it mattered most.
Equally troubling for the Timberwolves was their carelessness with the ball. The team committed 23 turnovers—many of them unforced—which translated into fast-break points and shifted the tempo firmly in favor of the Thunder. “You can’t expect to win a playoff game when you’re giving them extra chances on the glass and handing them the ball,” DiVincenzo remarked. “It’s unacceptable. We know better, and we have to do better.”
This marked DiVincenzo’s most vocal critique of his team’s fundamentals this postseason, reflecting both his competitive spirit and the urgency of the moment. His comments resonate deeply in a locker room that had entered this series with championship aspirations, but now stares down a daunting 3-1 series deficit. While DiVincenzo finished the game with a solid stat line—contributing on both ends—his focus remained squarely on the team’s execution failures rather than individual accolades.
The Thunder’s edge on the boards and their ability to pressure Minnesota into costly errors wasn’t accidental. Coach Mark Daigneault’s game plan emphasized physicality and pace, both of which were amplified by OKC’s home-court energy and the standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Every second-chance opportunity and forced turnover disrupted Minnesota’s rhythm and neutralized their offensive weapons like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.
DiVincenzo’s leadership has been one of the key additions for the Timberwolves this season, bringing not only playoff experience but also a no-nonsense approach to the game. In games like this, his voice becomes even more important, holding teammates accountable and steering focus back to fundamentals. “Rebounds and turnovers—those are effort stats,” he said. “That’s not about talent. That’s about will.”
Now, the Timberwolves face a must-win Game 5 in Oklahoma City. They’ll need to channel DiVincenzo’s message into action, tightening up their ball handling and boxing out with discipline if they hope to extend the series. The coaching staff is expected to make adjustments to limit the Thunder’s second-chance opportunities, possibly inserting more size into the lineup or modifying defensive schemes to collapse on the boards.
For DiVincenzo, the message is simple and unwavering. If the Timberwolves want to remain alive in the playoffs, they cannot afford to beat themselves. “We’re not out of this,” he insisted. “But we’ve got to clean up the things we can control. That starts with valuing every possession.”
With the spotlight growing brighter and the margin for error shrinking, Donte DiVincenzo’s challenge to his teammates is clear. The time for excuses is over. It’s time to fight, rebound, and protect the basketball—or go home.
Watch Post Game Press Conference:
