Donte DiVincenzo was pumped up.
At least, that's how ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin tells it.
Check out this post on X:
Donte DiVincenzo came into the locker room pregame flashing his fingers in a V, with a huge smile on his face, talking about Pope Leo. “I’m having a great day!” he exclaimed. He said Coach Jay Wright texted their Wildcats group chat: “Did you see it guys?!?! Nova pride!”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 8, 2025
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The Timberwolves need their sharpshooting guard to be at his best on Thursday night after Pope Leo XIV's announcement prompted Villanova pride for their 1977 graduate.
Minnesota had a disappointing Game 1 loss to the Warriors in the conference semifinals despite the second-quarter injury departure of Stephen Curry.
Curry is expected to miss a week with his hamstring injury.
In the meantime, the Wolves need to get back into the series.
In Game 1, DiVincenzo was just 3-for-11 from the floor, including 1-for-7 from 3-point range.
He had four assists but four turnovers.
DiVincenzo was the second piece to come back to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade in the offseason, along with Julius Randle.
The Timberwolves will need him to harness that new pope energy to put up a big Game 2.
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