Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo speaks on accountability following the Wolves loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The up-and-down season of the Minnesota Timberwolves continued to close out 2025 as they lost 126-102 to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Wolves are 21-13 on the season with wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics, but recent losses to the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Hawks.
After the loss to the Hawks, guard Donte DiVincenzo was asked about the challenge of converting the talk of bringing the energy and effort into actually bringing the energy and effort on a game-to-game basis.
"We just gotta do it. There is only so much you can talk about. How many meetings, how many film sessions, how many times does [head coach Chris Finch] have to talk to us? It's frustrating. Chicago, you play well and respond, then you come here and lay an egg to a team that has lost seven in a row. You have to respect the opponent, but you also have to respect the game. Come out, play hard, compete for one another. We're not doing that on a nightly basis," said DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo reiterated that the team needs to compete and not rely so much on talent. He praised the coaching staff for doing their job, but they can't control how hard the players play.
Accountability On The Team
"We have to hold ourselves accountable. Individually. When you watch, you watch with an eye of 'what can I do better? Am I competing every night? Am I competing every play?' That's where I think it starts, rather than addressing the overall team. We can get to that and have those conversations, but you first start by watching and saying, 'What can I do better to make up a little for your teammate?' As long as you're competing, you're covering up for mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It starts with watching the game, seeing what you can do better for the team," said DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo noted that they are a veteran team, returning much of the same team that went to the Western Conference Finals a year ago.
The Weekend Ahead
After dropping three of their last four, the Timberwolves have Thursday and Friday off before a back-to-back against the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.
Miami is hovering above .500 and battling for a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, but their season has been disjointed with long win streaks followed by long losing streaks.
The Wizards are at the bottom of the league once again, but as Brooklyn proved, that won't matter if the Timberwolves don't compete.