Sunday’s game between the Knicks and Timberwolves was anything but friendly as Donte DiVincenzo returned to Madison Square Garden and engaged in a verbal sparring with his former coaches.
Despite playing a key role in the Knicks’ run to the playoffs last season, DiVincenzo was traded – with Julius Randle – to Minnesota to bring Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple.
After being shipped out to acquire Towns, DiVincenzo appeared to have a point against the Knicks. During the game, the shooting guard could be heard going back and forth with the New York bench as he stood at the free throw line.
“This is what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo seemed to say to the opposite bench.
However, the verbal exchanges were far from over. After the final buzzer sounded through the Garden, DiVincenzo exchanged words with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.
Donte DiVincenzo was involved in a verbal altercation with the Knicks coaching staff on Sunday night
Rick is also the father of All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who was seen in the background as his father got it on with his former Knicks and Villanova teammate.
The pair would later be separated when DiVincenzo walked away and entered the locker room.
After the game, DiVincenzo made it clear that he wasn’t thanking Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau for trading him after he was accidentally captioned in a clip.
“I didn’t say ‘thanks for the trade,'” he said. ‘It was about the finish. I joked to Thibs that I couldn’t finish it. I’ve seen the video. I didn’t say anything about the trade.’
In the end, New York had the last laugh when they won the tune-up game 115-110. DiVincenzo recorded 15 points, seven assists and three rebounds in Minnesota’s losing effort.
DiVincenzo arrived in Midtown Manhattan from Golden State and became a beloved player in New York during the Knicks’ impressive run last season.
He averaged 12 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists as the Knicks defeated the 76ers in six games to start the postseason. DiVincenzo then exploded in the Conference Semifinals, averaging 22.7 points, 4.6 boards and 2.6 dishes in a seven-game loss to Indiana.
DiVincenzo and Julius Randle were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves late this summer
The trade was made by the Knicks to acquire big man Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota
Late in the offseason, fans of the Orange and Blue were shocked to discover that DiVincenzo was traded after just one season in exchange for Towns.
The trade ruined a Villanova reunion in New York after the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from across the East River to ostensibly reunite him with college teammates DiVincenzo, Brunson and Josh Hart.
All four were members of the Wildcats team that defeated North Carolina for the NCAA Tournament championship in 2016.
After being left out of the party in New York, DiVincenzo admitted that he was no longer present after the trade. However, he reiterated that he was focused on the task ahead with his new team.
“I was hurt, a little sad,” DiVincenzo said. “And then you move on to the next process of the job, the business aspect, and when you understand that you’re moving on, I’m now fully in Minnesota, and that’s it.”
The two teams will meet again on December 19.