Donte DiVincenzo, Knicks assistant Rick Brunson get heated at MSG, guard explains comments to Tom Thibodeau

Sunday’s preseason matchup between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden provided some serious fireworks, and it had nothing to do with the actual basketball being played. In his first (preseason) game against his former team, Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo got into multiple altercations — first appearing to shout at Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau and later needing to be separated from Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, the father of New York’s All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks traded DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal two weeks again, separating him from three former Villanova teammates on the Knicks in Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

The action on Sunday night started when DiVincenzo went to the free-throw line midway through the first quarter. Before taking his shot, he looked over toward the Knicks bench and began shouting. The broadcast was able to pick up the audio, and DiVincenzo appeared to say, “Can’t finish, right Thibs?” before saying “that’s what happens when they let you run the show.”