Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo had his first matchup against the team that traded him, the New York Knicks. As the Wolves slumped to a 105-110 loss, DiVincenzo could be seen yelling at Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, sarcastically thanking him for the trade.
“Thank you for the trade, Thibs. Thank you for the trade… that’s what happens when they let you run the show. That’s what happens when they let you run the show.”
Above the rim Donte talking to Knicks bench – regular then voice enhanced pic.twitter.com/cfZDlRofj9
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 14, 2024
DiVincenzo also had to be separated from Rick Brunson after the game, as a post-game conversation appeared to get heated where DiVincenzo can be seen mouthing ‘I was talking to Thibs,’ prompting the assistant coach to step in.
Donte and Rick Brunson had to be separated… pic.twitter.com/ylnxM8cSCT
— Omar (@KingBacca22x) October 14, 2024
After the game, Donte was asked if he’d rather hit a game-winning three on Brunson, Bridges, or Josh Hart, cleverly responding by saying he’d rather do it in front of Thibodeau.
Donte claims he never said ‘Thanks for the trade. This is what happens when they let you run the show,’ and clarified that moment to interviewers after the game.
“My relationship with Jalen – that’s my brother, my best friend. That’s a separate relationship. I said I’ll talk about that privately (with Rick) and figure that out.”
DiVincenzo put up 15 points and seven assists in 26 minutes of action, shooting an efficient 6-11 from the field. Anthony Edwards led all scorers in the contest with his 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to nab the preseason win, as the Knicks left as five-point winners behind a well-rounded game from their roster, with seven players scoring in double-digits.
Jalen Brunson was the Knicks’ leading scorer with 26 points and six assists meanwhile new addition Karl-Anthony Towns had a monster 16-point 16-rebound double-double. OG Anunoby put up 19 points and six rebounds of his own while another new addition Mikal Bridges had 15 points.
New addition Julius Randle didn’t play for the Timberwolves against the team that he spent five seasons playing for as he’s yet to suit up. But with the season just over a week away, we’re going to see if these trades help either franchise take a step forward.
Donte DiVincenzo Separating The Business From The Fans
It seems being traded from the Knicks definitely hurt DiVincenzo, who spoke about the trade before the preseason clash against his former franchise. Donte openly discussed his love for the Knicks fanbase, separating the business of what the franchise did to him from the love he’s received from Knicks fans and the love he carries for them.
“My love for Knicks fans is through the roof. It was one of the best years of my life playing here last year. Something you dream about playing. I didn’t plan, I didn’t want, and I didn’t hope to leave. I signed a deal here thinking that I’m signing a four-year deal and I hope they don’t trade me after a year in. That’s that part of it, but you’ve always got to separate the business aspect and the fans.”
“I’ll always have a special part for that in my heart, and then playing here, being in there, and having the energy, it’s second to none. A lot of people showed it to me, but it was very mutual.”
DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season with the Knicks, emerging as one of the league’s premier three-point shooters for shooting 40.1% from three while attempting 8.7 attempts a game. He was one of the best high-volume three-point shooters in the NBA last season, proving to be incredibly valuable for New York.
The Timberwolves will use his spacing and on-ball play to be in the backcourt with Anthony Edwards or be a supercharged sixth man behind Edwards and Mike Conley. Nonetheless, he fits well onto this roster and can help the Timberwolves return to the Conference Finals, if not take a step further.
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