Injury spoils Donte DiVincenzo’s Villanova reunion at the Garden

There was no Villanova reunion. 

There was no anticipated spat with Rick Brunson to keep an eye on. 

Former fans didn’t have the chance to watch him play on the Garden floor during what has been a hot streak for the Delaware native. 

There was no New York return on Friday night for former Knick Donte DiVincenzo, as the guard was sidelined for a second straight game with a sprained toe.

And it may not be his last watching from the sidelines. 

Minnesota coach Chris Finch said the team is not yet sure if it’s a day-to-day injury or something to worry about long term. 

“Out tonight and we’ll go from there,” he said before Friday night’s game at the Garden. 

Despite the absence, Tom Thibodeau was quick to praise his former player along with Julius Randle, who faced the Knicks for the first time at the Garden since being traded with DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Towns. 

“Terrific. He [Randle] had a great run, helped lift the team up,” Thibodeau said. “Not only excelled individually, but the team itself while he was here as well. So, did a terrific job for us, and Donte as well. Obviously, Donte was here for a lot less time, but he had a great impact. Both guys, classy guys. Played hard all the time and did a really good job for us.” 

It marked DiVincenzo’s first DNP game this season, timely with his return, and to the Timberwolves’ (21-19) disadvantage, during his hot streak. 

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DiVincenzo would have been coming off a 28-point night, shooting 9-for-19 from the field and 6-for-12 from 3-point range, along with six rebounds and nine assists in the Timberwolves’ 116-115 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday. 

“It’s a tough one for us. He had finally settled in,” Finch said of missing DiVincenzo. “He looked great. He was playing amazing, doing everything for us. Not just making shots, but he was rebounding, tough defense, and winning plays.” 

Over the past 11 games, he averaged 16.4 points on nearly 45 percent shooting and 43 percent from deep.

He also joined Minnesota’s starting lineup for the last six games. 

When the Knicks played in Minnesota on Dec. 19, DiVincenzo dropped 15 points on his former team, which he still considers “family.” 

“I’m still in contact with those guys all the time. It’s still family,” DiVincenzo said in December. “I watch games and everything, but it’s different, a different viewpoint if you will — more so just a fan of the guys that are over there. Wish them nothing but success, individually and collectively.”