Basketball
Anthony Edwards Defends DiVincenzo After Viral Knicks Video: ‘Can’t Be Mad at Him’
David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards welcomed the competitiveness new teammate Donte DiVincenzo displayed in Sunday’s 115-110 preseason loss to the New York Knicks.
At one point during the game, DiVincenzo said something toward the Knicks’ bench while at the free throw line. Then when going through the usual postgame handshakes, he had a tense exchange with Knicks assistant Rick Brunson. DiVincenzo could be heard saying, “I was talking to [Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau].”
Edwards was dismissive of the incident.
“You can’t be mad at him, man,” he said of DiVincenzo, per ESPN’s Chris Herring. “He makes all the right plays and shoots the cover off the ball. New York is definitely going to miss him.”
It’s unclear what DiVincenzo said to draw the ire of New York’s coaching staff. He denied telling the Knicks “thanks for the trade,” which was what some on social media interpreted based on videos making the rounds. He added that his comments toward Thibodeau were made in jest.
Knicks Videos @sny_knicks
Donte DiVincenzo says that he was not talking to Tom Thibodeau about being traded to the Timberwolves when he yelled towards the Knicks’ bench during the game tonight: pic.twitter.com/SfMNclGOhv
Stefan Bondy @SbondyNBA
As far as clip circulating of Donte at foul line, DiVincenzo said he was joking with Thibs about not being able to finish. Donte said he never said, “Thanks for trade.” The stuff with Rick Brunson wasn’t joking, however, including when he looked at Knicks bench (not at Thibs) and…
DiVincenzo was equally evasive regarding his postgame conversation with Brunson.
“Just some words. I don’t fully know what was said. A lot of people there,” he told reporters. “But I really have no comment on the situation. We’re both grown men and can talk about it privately.”
The seventh-year guard disputed the idea his trade from the Knicks to the Timberwolves provided him with added motivation heading into the 2024-25 season. It does at least appear he has a bone to pick with Brunson.
New York and Minnesota’s first meeting in the regular season is Dec. 19 in Minneapolis. NBA fans will want to make a note on their calendars because it could be a spicy affair.
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