The NBA preseason is barely underway, and already, Donte DiVincenzo is making waves with his new team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Knicks guard had a fiery showdown with his old squad during a preseason game on Sunday, October 13, taking every opportunity to remind the New York Knicks—and especially head coach Tom Thibodeau—of what they gave up.
After sinking a free throw, DiVincenzo turned to the Knicks’ bench and locked eyes with Thibodeau, delivering a silent but pointed message: they underestimated him. Fans caught the intensity of the moment, fueling speculation of a growing beef between DiVincenzo and his former team. And it didn’t stop there. After the game, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, confronted DiVincenzo about his mid-game remarks, sparking a heated exchange. DiVincenzo, clearly unfazed, walked away, leaving Brunson fuming and adding fuel to the post-game drama.
The Villanova connection had initially thrilled Knicks fans, with DiVincenzo joining fellow alums Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. But the Knicks ultimately traded him in a package for Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, a move that also brought defensive powerhouse Julius Randle to Minnesota. And while the Knicks may not have wanted to part ways with DiVincenzo, rumors suggest the player was more than ready to move on, frustrated by his limited role under Thibodeau. NBA insider Ian Begley noted that DiVincenzo “was not a big fan” of playing a reduced role, despite stepping up as a starter in 63 games last season and setting career highs across the board.
The trade has arguably opened a new chapter for DiVincenzo. He averaged a solid 15.5 points, 29.1 minutes per game, and a career-best 40.1% from three last season. Now, with the Timberwolves, he’s expected to play a major role. As the NBA season kicks off, all eyes will be on DiVincenzo to see if he can prove the Knicks wrong. And with that fiery attitude, he’s certainly bringing the drama.
