Donte DiVincenzo, Rick Brunson get into heated exchange during Knicks-Timberwolves

NEW YORK — Sunday’s preseason reunion game between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves started with love and ended with tension.

In what was the unofficial returns of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to New York, and the first game Karl-Anthony Towns played against Minnesota since being traded earlier this month, the highlight came after the buzzer sounded when DiVincenzo and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, the father of New York star guard Jalen Brunson, had to be separated following a verbal altercation.

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

“Just some words. I don’t fully know what was said. A lot of people there,” DiVincenzo said. “But I really have no comment on the situation. We’re both grown men and can talk about it privately.”

The verbal altercation comes as a surprise given the close relationship between DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. The two were college teammates before joining forces last season in the NBA with the Knicks, and DiVincenzo was a groomsman in Jalen’s wedding.

“Two people talking,” Jalen said of the verbal exchange. “Words of affirmation.”

“I didn’t see it,” New York head coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. “Two competitive guys. Stuff like that does happen.”

The tension escalated in the first quarter when DiVincenzo was caught on camera at the free-throw line directing words to the Knicks’ bench. Rick Brunson was the target, league sources told The Athletic.

“That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo appeared to say.

It is unclear exactly what else DiVincenzo said, and he said postgame that he’d like to keep the root of the issue private.

“I didn’t say thanks for the trade. It was about a finish,” DiVincenzo said. “I was joking with (Thibodeau) about not being able to finish, giving him a hard time. I wasn’t talking to Thibs. I saw the clip. I wasn’t talking to Thibs. I didn’t say anything about the trade. So that was it.”

The Knicks won the game 115-110 behind 24 points from Jalen Brunson and a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double from Towns. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 31 points, while DiVincenzo chipped in 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

“I’m not extra motivated (by the trade). It’s just the fact, take the team out of it, that I get to play in (Madison Square) Garden,” DiVincenzo said. “I have so much love for these fans. The energy in there is absolutely amazing. That’s where the energy and motivation comes from. It has nothing to do with (the trade).”

“I’ve been traded before,” he continued. “I’ve gone back to the team that I’ve played for. There’s no extra whatever on top of it. But the Garden fans add a little extra to it. It was special.”

The two teams’ first regular-season game will take place on Dec. 19 in Minnesota.

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(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn)