Minnesota Timberwolves wing Donte DiVincenzo returned to play against the New York Knicks, who recently traded him for Karl-Anthony Towns.
After the preseason game, DiVincenzo got into a heated exchange with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson. The coach is also the father of New York’s point guard Jalen Brunson, who attended college with DiVincenzo. The pair actually won two collegiate national championships playing alongside each other.
While we may never learn exactly what happened during the argument between DiVincenzo and his former assistant coach, there were some preceding incidents that perhaps led to the tension. For example, he also had a back-and-forth with his former head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Above the rim Donte talking to Knicks bench – regular then voice enhanced pic.twitter.com/cfZDlRofj9
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 14, 2024
At first, some fans thought they could see DiVincenzo saying “thanks for the trade” to his former head coach.
According to DiVincenzo, however, he actually was talking at the free-throw line about his finishing abilities at the rim.
Here it is, clear as day.
Donte DiVincenzo's explanation after the game, and the correct captioning of his interaction with the Knicks bench. pic.twitter.com/qPiZWiNDJa
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 14, 2024
Although there were highly speculative rumors that DiVincenzo was “unhappy” in New York, he has since confirmed such talk was purely untrue.
DiVincenzo has always spoken highly of Thibodeau and his time playing for the Knicks.
