Donte DiVincenzo, Rick Brunson get into heated trade throughout Knicks-Timberwolves
NEW YORK — Sunday’s preseason reunion sport between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves began with love and ended with pressure.
In what was the unofficial returns of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to New York, and the primary sport Karl-Anthony Cities performed in opposition to Minnesota since being traded earlier this month, the spotlight got here after the buzzer sounded when DiVincenzo and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, the daddy of New York star guard Jalen Brunson, needed to be separated following a verbal altercation.
Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson needed to be separated after exchanging phrases 😳
This was Donte’s first sport again in New York following the commerce to Minnesota pic.twitter.com/CDt72FzEkH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2024
“Just a few phrases. I don’t absolutely know what was mentioned. Lots of people there,” DiVincenzo mentioned. “However I actually don’t have any touch upon the state of affairs. We’re each grown males and may discuss it privately.”
The verbal altercation comes as a shock given the shut relationship between DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. The 2 have been school teammates earlier than becoming a member of forces final season within the NBA with the Knicks, and DiVincenzo was a groomsman in Jalen’s wedding ceremony.
“Two individuals speaking,” Jalen mentioned of the verbal trade. “Phrases of affirmation.”
“I didn’t see it,” New York head coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned after the sport. “Two aggressive guys. Stuff like that does occur.”
The strain escalated within the first quarter when DiVincenzo was caught on digicam on the free-throw line directing phrases to the Knicks’ bench. Rick Brunson was the goal, league sources instructed The Athletic.
“That’s what occurs after they allow you to run the present,” DiVincenzo appeared to say.
It’s unclear precisely what else DiVincenzo mentioned, and he mentioned postgame that he’d wish to hold the foundation of the difficulty personal.
“I didn’t say thanks for the commerce. It was a couple of end,” DiVincenzo mentioned. “I used to be joking with (Thibodeau) about not having the ability to end, giving him a tough time. I wasn’t speaking to Thibs. I noticed the clip. I wasn’t speaking to Thibs. I didn’t say something in regards to the commerce. In order that was it.”
The Knicks gained the sport 115-110 behind 24 factors from Jalen Brunson and a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double from Cities. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 31 factors, whereas DiVincenzo chipped in 15 factors on 6-of-11 taking pictures.
“I’m not additional motivated (by the commerce). It’s simply the very fact, take the staff out of it, that I get to play in (Madison Sq.) Backyard,” DiVincenzo mentioned. “I’ve a lot love for these followers. The vitality in there may be completely superb. That’s the place the vitality and motivation comes from. It has nothing to do with (the commerce).”
“I’ve been traded earlier than,” he continued. “I’ve gone again to the staff that I’ve performed for. There’s no additional no matter on prime of it. However the Backyard followers add slightly additional to it. It was particular.”
The 2 groups’ first regular-season sport will happen on Dec. 19 in Minnesota.
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(Picture: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn)
