Tensions Flare as Donte DiVincenzo Faces Knicks in Preseason Return to MSG

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo found himself in a heated postgame exchange with New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson after the Knicks’ 115-110 preseason win on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. 

The incident, which followed DiVincenzo’s first game against his former team since being traded from New York two weeks ago, occurred during what is usually a routine handshake line.

As players and coaches exchanged pleasantries at the final whistle, DiVincenzo and Brunson – father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson – exchanged words in a brief verbal altercation. “I was talking to Thibs,” DiVincenzo was heard saying to Brunson, referring to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Earlier in the game, DiVincenzo was caught on camera shouting toward the Knicks bench while at the free throw line, saying, “That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” seemingly directed at someone on New York’s sideline. 

After the game, DiVincenzo downplayed the significance of the exchange, suggesting it stemmed from an inside joke with Thibodeau. When asked about the postgame dustup with Rick Brunson, the guard declined to elaborate, saying, “I’d prefer to talk things out privately with him.”

Despite the drama, DiVincenzo’s performance was solid, tallying 15 points and seven assists. His moments on and off the court somewhat overshadowed another storyline: Karl-Anthony Towns’ first game against his former team after spending nine seasons with the Timberwolves. 

Towns put up a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Meanwhile, Julius Randle, another former Knick, was honoured at the Garden but did not play as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.

The Garden crowd also saw a tribute video for both Randle and DiVincenzo during a timeout, acknowledging their contributions to the Knicks. DiVincenzo, who was a standout for New York last season and set a franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season, was a key figure in the Knicks’ lineup alongside Jalen Brunson. 

The two players have a long history, dating back to their college days at Villanova and a close personal friendship, with DiVincenzo even serving as a groomsman at Brunson’s wedding.

Jalen Brunson, who was present during the postgame exchange, played down the incident, stating, “It was words of affirmation,” and emphasized his brotherly relationship with DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo echoed these sentiments, calling Brunson his “best friend” and saying he would handle the matter privately.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards praised DiVincenzo’s competitive nature, saying, “You can’t be mad at him… He makes all the right plays and shoots the cover off the ball. New York is definitely going to miss him.”

Emotions ran high for the Timberwolves as well. Edwards expressed his deep connection with Towns, calling him a “brother,” while Minnesota coach Chris Finch acknowledged the emotional challenge of seeing Towns in a different jersey. “It’s like a death in the family in some ways,” Finch remarked. “Once we get started, it’ll be business as usual.”

As the preseason heats up, both DiVincenzo and the Timberwolves are looking to settle into new rhythms, but Sunday’s game showed that certain connections and competitive fires run deep.