Donte DiVincenzo’s preseason reunion with the New York Knicks wasn’t exactly a warm and fuzzy affair.
The Knicks hosted DiVincenzo’s Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y.
DiVincenzo scored a floater plus the foul midway through the first quarter of the contest. Before taking his free throw, DiVincenzo was seen barking at someone sitting on the Knicks’ bench.
“Alright, yeah. That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo appeared to shout while looking toward the sideline.
Donte DiVincenzo:
“That’s what happens when they let you run the show.” 👀
(h/t @IQfor3)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 13, 2024
Some speculated that DiVincenzo was taking a shot at his former head coach Tom Thibodeau. But the Timberwolves guard later clarified that was not the case.
Based on another heated moment after the game, DiVincenzo’s ire may have been directed toward Jalen Brunson’s father Rick Brunson. DiVincenzo and the Knicks assistant coach had to be separated as the two had a fiery exchange following the 115-110 Knicks win.
Donte and Rick Brunson had to be separated… pic.twitter.com/ylnxM8cSCT
— Omar (@KingBacca22x) October 14, 2024
DiVincenzo finished the contest with 15 points on 6/11 shooting to go along with 7 assists.
The Knicks traded DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves last month in a deal that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The move came just months after the Knicks had acquired Mikal Bridges to reunite the core group of 2015-16 Villanova Wildcats who won the national title.
There was speculation that DiVincenzo was unhappy with the Knicks before the trade was made. But the Timberwolves guard disputed those rumors before Sunday’s matchup.
Towns, on the other hand, looked to be in a much more jovial mood after the Knicks-Timberwolves game. He may have warmed up to the move after initially seeming just as frustrated with it as DiVincenzo.
