Donte DiVincenzo returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since being traded from the New York Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves in preseason action, where his former team won 115-110. During the game, DiVincenzo was spotted exchanging words with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau from the free throw line and also had a brief confrontation with Knicks assistant Rick Brunson.
Addressing the situation, DiVincenzo explained that his banter with Thibodeau was lighthearted and focused on his finishing ability, not the trade. “I didn’t say thanks for the trade. It was about finishing. I was joking with Thibs about not being able to finish… I saw the clip, I wasn’t talking about the trade. It’s all good.” However, when asked about the incident with Rick Brunson, DiVincenzo kept it private, stating, “Just words, I don’t really have a comment. We’ll talk about it privately.
Here it is, clear as day.
Donte DiVincenzo's explanation after the game, and the correct captioning of his interaction with the Knicks bench. pic.twitter.com/qPiZWiNDJa
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 14, 2024
DiVincenzo also clarified that his relationship with Jalen Brunson, his close friend and Rick Brunson’s son from their Villanova days, is separate from his relationship with Rick. “My relationship with Jalen – that’s my brother, my best friend. That’s a separate relationship. I’ll talk to Rick privately and figure it out.”
The incident occurred during the first quarter when DiVincenzo, after going to the free-throw line, joked with Thibodeau about finishing. Some fans misinterpreted the exchange, believing he thanked Thibodeau for trading him. This led to a post-game verbal altercation between DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson, though the specifics of their exchange remain unclear. DiVincenzo finished the game with 15 points and seven assists in the Timberwolves’ loss.
Reports suggest that DiVincenzo was unhappy with the prospect of playing a reduced role for the Knicks after the team acquired Mikal Bridges in the offseason. Despite coming off a strong season averaging 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.1% from three, DiVincenzo was likely set to lose his starting position to Bridges, which reportedly contributed to his inclusion in the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns.
"I really have no comment on the situation."
Donte DiVincenzo was asked about what happened between he and Rick Brunson after the game: pic.twitter.com/oSclCA6Ojw
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 14, 2024
The trade, which brought Towns’ star power to New York, may have been a necessary move for team harmony. Towns, who averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season, fills a key role for the Knicks as an elite big man.
While DiVincenzo downplayed any lingering hard feelings toward Thibodeau, the tension between him and Rick Brunson could be worth monitoring. The Timberwolves and Knicks meet twice in the regular season, and unless they face off in the NBA Finals, the opportunities for this potential rivalry to reignite will be limited.