Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson get into a heated exchange at Knicks-Timberwolves

NEW YORK – Sunday's preseason reunion game between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves began with love and ended with excitement.

In Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo's unofficial return to New York and the first game Karl-Anthony Towns played against Minnesota since his trade earlier this month, the climax came after the buzzer sounded as DiVincenzo and DiVincenzo's assistant coach Knicks, Rick Brunson, The father of New York star guard Jalen Brunson had to be separated after a verbal altercation.

Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson had to be separated after an exchange of words 😳

This was Donte's first game back in New York after moving to Minnesota pic.twitter.com/CDt72FzEkH

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2024

“Just a few words. I don't quite know what was said. There are a lot of people there,” DiVincenzo said. “But I really have no comment on the situation. We’re both grown men and we can talk about this privately.”

The verbal altercation comes as a surprise given the close relationship between DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. The two were college teammates before joining the Knicks in the NBA last season, and DiVincenzo was best man at 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. This kind of thing actually happens.”

The tension escalated in the first quarter when DiVincenzo was caught on camera saying words to the Knicks' bench at the free throw line. According to league sources, Rick Brunson was the target The athlete.

“This is what happens when you let someone take the lead,” DiVincenzo seemed to say.

It's unclear what else exactly DiVincenzo said, and he said after the game that he would like to keep the root of the problem a secret.

“I didn’t say thank you for the trade. It was about a goal,” DiVincenzo said. “I joked with (Thibodeau) about not being able to finish, which made life difficult for him. I haven't spoken to Thibs. I saw the clip. I haven't spoken to Thibs. I didn't say anything about trade. So that was it.”

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

“I’m not particularly motivated (by my job). It's just the fact that if you get the team out there, I get to play at (Madison Square) Garden,” DiVincenzo said. “I love these fans so much. The energy in it is absolutely amazing. This is where the energy and motivation comes from. It has nothing to do with (trade).”

“I’ve been traded before,” he continued. “I returned to the team I played for. There is no extra on top. But Garden fans add a little something extra. It was special.”

The first regular season game between the two teams will be December 19th in Minnesota.

Required reading

(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn)