Basketball
Here’s what Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson spewed at each other during fiery Knicks spat
Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo had some intriguing remarks for Knicks assistant Rick Brunson during and after a preseason game on Sunday.
DiVincenzo, who was traded away from the Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns last month, was at the free-throw line when he was seen chirping back and forth with Knicks star Jalen Brunson’s dad — and they had to be separated after New York’s 115-110 win over Minnesota at Madison Square Garden.
“Sucka s–t man,” Rick Brunson told DiVincenzo after the game when the former Knicks guard approached the New York bench, according to ESPN. “That was some sucka s–t.
“I’ma let you live brother.”
DiVincenzo, with a towel over his head, responded as Jalen Brunson put his arm around him.
“You talked to me. I was talking to Thibs,” DiVincenzo said, referencing Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “You want to bring it out here for the camera.”
DiVincenzo, who finished with 15 points, was referring to their previous exchange when he was at the free-throw line in the first quarter.
“Can’t finish right Thibs?” DiVincenzo said of the Knicks’ head coach, according to ESPN.
Rick Brunson, who was sitting next to Thibodeau, was seen getting animated on the sideline, but it’s unclear what he said.
“That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo said. “Let daddy be in charge.”
DiVincenzo told reporters after the game that his comments weren’t aimed at a specific person — and that he “didn’t thank them” for the trade.
“It was in the general direction [of the Knicks bench],” DiVincenzo said. “Obviously they have me on video saying it. And I’m not there anymore. I play, I’m competitive, I wear my heart on my sleeve and that’s all it was.”
DiVincenzo, who was a groomsman in Jalen’s wedding to Ali Marks last July, explained that the spat won’t impact their friendship.
“My relationship with Jalen, that’s my brother and my best friend,” DiVincenzo said. “That’s a separate relationship. I’ll talk about that privately, and figure everything out. But it is what it is.”
DiVincenzo and Jalen played at Villanova with Knicks players Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
“I was right there,” Jalen said when asked about the postgame situation between his father and DiVincenzo. “It was words of affirmation.”
Earlier in the game, the Knicks played a tribute video honoring DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, who they traded away for Towns in a blockbuster deal with the Timberwolves that was made official earlier this month.
The Knicks play the Hornets on Tuesday before their preseason finale against the Wizards on Friday.
New York opens the 2024 regular season against the reigning champion Celtics in Boston on Oct. 22.
The Knicks and Timberwolves face each other in the regular season in Minnesota on Dec. 19.
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