Sunday’s preseason clash between the Knicks and Timberwolves was anything but friendly as Donte DiVincenzo returned to Madison Square Garden and engaged in a verbal spar with his former coaches.
Despite playing a key role in the Knicks’ run to the playoffs last season, DiVincenzo – with Julius Randle – got traded to Minnesota to bring Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple.
After getting shipped to acquire Towns, DiVincenzo seemed to have a point to prove to the Knicks. During the game, the shooting guard could be overheard going back and forth with the New York bench while standing at the free-throw line.
‘This is what happens when they let you run the show,’ DiVincenzo appeared to say toward the opposing bench.
However, the verbal exchanges were far from over. After the final buzzer rang through the Garden, DiVincenzo exchanged words with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.
Donte DiVincenzo engaged in a verbal spat with the Knicks coaching staff on Sunday night
Rick is also the father of All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who could be seen in the background as his dad got into it with his former Knicks and Villanova teammate.
The pair would later be separated as DiVincenzo walked away and headed into the locker room.
After the game, DiVincenzo clarified that he did not thank Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau for trading him after he got mistakenly captioned in a clip.
‘I didn’t say ‘thanks for the trade,” he said. ‘It was about the finish. I was joking to Thibs about not being able to finish. I saw the clip. I did not say anything about the trade.’
Ultimately, New York got the last laugh as they won the tune-up game 115-110. DiVincenzo recorded 15 points, seven assists, and three rebounds in Minnesota’s losing effort.
DiVincenzo arrived in Midtown Manhattan from Golden State and became a beloved player in New York during the Knicks’ impressive run last season.
He averaged 12 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as the Knicks beat the 76ers in six games to start the postseason. DiVincenzo then exploded in the Conference Semifinals, averaging 22.7 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.6 dishes in a seven-game defeat to Indiana.
DiVincenzo and Julius Randle were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves late this summer
The trade was made by the Knicks to acquire big man Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota
Late in the offseason, fans of the Orange and Blue were shocked to find out DiVincenzo got traded after just one season in exchange for Towns.
The trade spoiled a Villanova reunion in New York after the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from across the East River to supposedly reunite him with college teammates DiVincenzo, Brunson, and Josh Hart.
All four were members of the Wildcats team that defeated North Carolina for the NCAA Tournament championship in 2016.
After getting left out of the party in New York, DiVincenzo admitted to being down after the trade. However, he reiterated his focus on the task at hand with his new team.
‘I was hurt, kind of sad,’ DiVincenzo said. ‘And then you transition to the next process of the job, the business aspect, and just understanding you move forward and now my mind is completely in Minnesota, and that’s it.’
The two teams will meet again on Dec. 19.