Donte DiVincenzo went back to Madison Square Garden for the first time after being traded by the New York Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves in preseason action, watching his former team win 115-110 over the Wolves. During the game, DiVincenzo was seen trash-talking Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau from the free throw line and exchanged words with Knicks assistant Rick Brunson.
DiVincenzo opened up on what went down, clarifying that he was bantering with Thibodeau about his ability to finish.
“I didn’t say thanks for the trade. It was about a finish. I was joking with Thibs about not being able to finish… I saw the clip, I wasn’t talking to Thibs. I didn’t say anything about the trade. It’s all good.”
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
When asked about the situation with Rick Brunson, DiVincenzo declined to comment publicly.
“Just words, I don’t know. I don’t really have a comment on the situation. We’ll talk about it privately.”
"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
Rick is the father of Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, one of DiVincenzo’s best friends from their shared days at Villanova University. Donte said his relationship with Jalen is separate from his relationship with Rick and that they’ll discuss the same privately.
“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.”
This situation began during the first quarter of the Knicks vs. Timberwolves preseason contest when DiVincenzo went to the free-throw line and, in his words, trash-talked Thibodeau about not being able to finish. Vast numbers of fans interpreted the words spoken differently, feeling like Donte was thanking Thibodeau for trading him.
“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.”
Donte DiVincenzo:
“That’s what happens when they let you run the show.” 👀
(h/t @IQfor3)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 13, 2024
This was soon followed up with a post-game skirmish between DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson, as the pair had to be separated after exchanging words on the court.
Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson had to be separated after exchanging words 😳
This was Donte's first game back in New York following the trade to Minnesota pic.twitter.com/CDt72FzEkH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2024
DiVincenzo put up 15 points and seven assists (2-5 3PT) in the Timberwolves loss, playing without former Knicks teammate Julius Randle, who is yet to debut for the franchise.
DiVincenzo was reportedly dissatisfied over being made to accept a sixth-man role for the Knicks after the team acquired Mikal Bridges in the offseason. The supposedly harmonious Villanova partnership failed without a game being played, with Donte’s dissatisfaction at a reduced role playing a part according to Ian Begley.
“With the moves made this offseason, DiVincenzo was probably going to be coming off the bench this season. Bridges would likely have taken his spot in the starting lineup. I can say confidently that DiVincenzo didn’t exactly love the idea of playing fewer minutes/a reduced role this season. He was coming off of a career year and helped the team win a ton of games when it was shorthanded.”
DiVincenzo was coming off a career season with the Knicks, averaging 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 40.1% from three on 8.7 attempts per game. He proved his value as one of the best shooters in the NBA while being a solid defender.
His reduced role in the wake of the Bridges acquisition and OG Anunoby’s re-signing likely didn’t sit well with him, which led to the Knicks changing their opinion on including Donte in the deal after refusing for most of the offseason.
If he stood as a threat to the Knicks’ harmony, it’s smart for the franchise to have used him as a valuable piece in a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season, providing sensational big-man play that the team hasn’t had in decades.
I believe Donte’s words to Tom Thibodeau are an indicator of any hard feelings between the player and coach, but it seems like there might be real smoke between DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson. We likely won’t see that feud play out publicly after Donte’s earlier comments, but it definitely could be something to monitor.
The Timberwolves and Knicks play just twice in the regular season, so more flashpoints for a rivalry are expected but not in a plentiful nature unless both contending franchises meet in the NBA Finals.
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