Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo faced his former team, the New York Knicks, at Madison Square Garden for the first time since being traded. This game was especially significant because it was the first meeting since All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns moved to the Knicks.
DiVincenzo stood out during the game, not just for his play—where he scored 15 points and had seven assists—but also for some intense moments. One clip of him talking to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau went viral, as he was seen shouting toward the Knicks bench just before a free throw. “That’s what happens when they let you run the show,” he said, which caught the attention of fans.
After the game, tensions rose when DiVincenzo had a heated exchange with Rick Brunson, Knicks assistant coach and father of star guard Jalen Brunson. The confrontation became intense enough that players from both teams had to step in and separate them.
When asked to comment on the postgame exchange, Donte said, “Some words. I don’t know fully well what was said. A lot of people there. But I really have no comment on the situation. I think we’ll both be men and talk about it privately.”
Brunson had his arm around DiVincenzo, who was a groomsman at the Knicks star’s wedding, during part of the postgame conversation on the Garden floor. When asked if he witnessed the interaction between his father and DiVincenzo, Brunson replied, “I was right there. It was words of affirmation.” DiVincenzo expressed, “My relationship with Jalen, that’s my brother and my best friend. That’s a separate relationship. I’ll talk about that privately and figure everything out. But it is what it is.”
Donte DiVincenzo Reflects On His Time With The Knicks Amid Rising Tensions
DiVincenzo appreciated Knicks fans, fondly recalling his time in New York despite the drama. “My love for Knicks fans is through the roof. It was one of the best years of my life playing here last year,” he said. He became a fan favorite due to his energy and skill during his one season with the team, where he set a franchise record for three-pointers.
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Towns played against his former team for the first time, and Julius Randle returned to the Garden after recovering from an injury, making the night important. Towns had a solid performance with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Randle sat out due to rehab from shoulder surgery. In discussing DiVincenzo’s competitive nature, Wolves star Anthony Edwards praised him, saying, “You can’t be mad at him, man. He makes all the right plays and shoots the cover off the ball. New York is definitely going to miss him.“
The Timberwolves prepare for their next visit to Madison Square Garden on January 17, and all eyes will focus on Donte DiVincenzo and how fans receive him after the recent altercations. The rivalry between these teams is heating up, and the next game promises to be just as intense.
