Here's what Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson were blowing at each other during a fiery Knicks spat
Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo made some curious comments to Knicks assistant Rick Brunson during and after a preseason game on Sunday.
DiVincenzo, who was traded away from the Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns last month, was at the free-throw line when he was seen repeatedly chirping with the father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson — and they had to be separated after 115 in New York. 110 win over Minnesota at Madison Square Garden.
“Duck man,” Rick Brunson said after the game when the former Knicks guard approached the New York bench and told DiVincenzo after the game, according to ESPN. “It was some dry s–t.
“I'll let you live bro.”
DiVincenzo, with a towel over his head, responded as Jalen Brunson put his arm around him.
“You talked to me. I was talking to Thibs,” DiVincenzo said, referring to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “You want to bring it up here for the cameras.”
DiVincenzo, who finished with 15 points, referenced their earlier exchange when he was at the free-throw line in the first quarter.
“Can't finish Thebes right?” DiVincenzo said of the Knicks head coach, according to ESPN.
Rick Brunson, sitting next to Thibodeau, appeared animated on the sideline, but it's unclear what he said.
“That's what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo said. “Let Dad be in charge.”
DiVincenzo told reporters after the game that his comments weren't aimed at any specific person — and that he “didn't thank them” for the trade.
“That was the general direction [of the Knicks bench]”DiVincenzo said. “Of course they told me on video. And I'm not there anymore. I play, I'm competitive, I wear my heart on my sleeve and that's it.”
DiVincenzo, who was a groomsman at Jalen's wedding to Ali Marks last July, explained that the feud won't affect their friendship.
“My relationship with Jalen, it's my brother and my best friend,” DiVincenzo said. “It's a different relationship. I'll talk about it in person, and figure it all out. But it is what it is.”
DiVincenzo and Jalen played at Villanova along with Knicks players Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
“I was right there,” Jalen said when asked about the postgame situation between his father and DiVincenzo. “It was a word of confirmation.”
Before the game, the Knicks played a tribute video honoring DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, who they made official earlier this month in a blockbuster deal with the Timberwolves.
The Knicks play the Hornets on Tuesday before their preseason finale against the Wizards on Friday.
New York opens the 2024 regular season on Oct. 22 in Boston against the defending champion Celtics.
The Knicks and Timberwolves face each other in the regular season in Minnesota on December 19.