Confrontation with Former Coach and Teammate’s Father! DiVincenzo's Frustration Is Understandable

In a heated preseason matchup between the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. The Knicks edged out the Timberwolves 115-110, but the focus quickly shifted to the off-court drama that followed the game. This was no ordinary preseason clash—these two teams had just completed a high-profile trade involving key players, and the emotions were running high.

One of the most notable stories from this game was the stark contrast in the reactions of the traded players. While Karl-Anthony Towns seemed to take the trade in stride, DiVincenzo clearly was not in a good mood, and his frustrations spilled over both on and off the court. Towns, now with the Knicks, was all smiles, hugging former Timberwolves teammates and exchanging jerseys with Anthony Edwards. He looked like someone slowly coming to terms with the trade. Julius Randle, another key player in the deal who didn’t suit up for this game, was also seen chatting it up with old teammates and Knicks personnel, including Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.

DiVincenzo, on the other hand, was a different story. In his first game facing his former team, the Knicks, it was evident that DiVincenzo was harboring some deep resentment. Even before the game, in an interview with reporters, DiVincenzo was asked a playful question: “If you could hit a game-winning three, who would you want to make it in front of—Brunson, Josh Hart, or Mikal Bridges?” These three players had formed a tight-knit bond with DiVincenzo at Villanova, where they won a national championship together, so the question seemed lighthearted enough. But DiVincenzo’s response was surprising: “Honestly, I’d rather hit it in front of Thibodeau (Knicks head coach). That’s my answer.”

This response was the first public indication of just how frustrated DiVincenzo was with his former coach. And as the game unfolded, his frustration became even more apparent. During the first quarter, while standing at the free-throw line, DiVincenzo was seen mouthing off angrily towards the Knicks’ bench. Several media outlets captured his words on camera, revealing that DiVincenzo had been venting his frustrations at Coach Thibodeau. He was reportedly saying, “Thanks for trading me, Thibodeau. Thanks for this trade. This is what happens when they let you run the team.”

While that exchange was heated, the real fireworks came after the game. As the players were leaving the court, DiVincenzo unexpectedly got into a shouting match with Rick Brunson, Jalen Brunson’s father and an assistant coach with the Knicks. What made the confrontation even more surprising was that just moments before, DiVincenzo had been walking off the court alongside Jalen Brunson, his former teammate and close friend. Bridges, another of his close friends, was visibly stunned by the incident.

The irony here is that DiVincenzo’s relationship with Brunson and Hart remains strong. The trio, along with Bridges, shared warm embraces before the game, underscoring the fact that DiVincenzo’s frustration wasn’t directed at his old teammates. Instead, his anger was clearly aimed at Coach Thibodeau, whom DiVincenzo seems to blame for his trade to Minnesota. It’s understandable—DiVincenzo put in a ton of effort last season for the Knicks, and his departure likely feels like a betrayal.

Why DiVincenzo's Frustration Makes Sense

It’s easy to see why DiVincenzo is upset. First, there’s the simple matter of geography. While DiVincenzo isn’t hurting for money, there’s no denying that life in New York City, with its cosmopolitan lifestyle and endless opportunities, is vastly different from life in Minnesota. Being traded from the bright lights of NYC to the more remote Minneapolis can be a tough pill to swallow.

But beyond that, it’s the timing and the context of the trade that likely stings the most. Just before the trade, the Knicks had acquired Mikal Bridges, seemingly to reunite the “Villanova Four” of DiVincenzo, Brunson, Hart, and Bridges. The four players had reportedly been excited about playing together, and there was undoubtedly a lot of off-season conversation about how they could dominate the upcoming season as a collective unit. For DiVincenzo, the trade felt like a cruel twist of fate—just when he thought he was about to experience something special, he was shipped off to another team.

More importantly, DiVincenzo had been a critical piece for the Knicks last season, especially when injuries hit the team hard. In the regular season, he played 81 games, averaging 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He shot an impressive 44.3% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc. When injuries plagued the Knicks late in the season, DiVincenzo took on a massive workload, averaging 38.2 minutes per game in the final 35 games of the season—the third-most in the NBA over that stretch. For comparison, Josh Hart led the league with an average of 40 minutes per game during that span.

One of the most notable performances from DiVincenzo came during a regular-season game against the Raptors, where he logged 49 minutes. In another game against the Bulls, he played 52.5 minutes. And his efforts didn’t stop once the playoffs rolled around. In the postseason, DiVincenzo played in all 13 of the Knicks’ games, averaging 35.8 minutes per game. He posted playoff averages of 17.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, shooting 41.9% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range.

DiVincenzo’s heavy workload continued deep into the postseason. In Game 2 of the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, he played 37 minutes, scoring 19 points, including a game-winning three-pointer. In Game 6, he played the full 48 minutes, contributing 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Then, in the second-round series against the Pacers, DiVincenzo played 43.7, 43.6, and 43.9 minutes in the first three games, scoring 25, 28, and 35 points, respectively. In Game 7, although the Knicks were eliminated, DiVincenzo gave it everything he had, playing 41 minutes and scoring 39 points in a valiant effort. He truly left it all on the floor.

Considering all of this, it’s easy to understand why DiVincenzo feels slighted. He had played an essential role in the Knicks' success last season, logging heavy minutes, taking on increased responsibilities, and never complaining about his workload. In fact, DiVincenzo often praised Coach Thibodeau publicly, defending him when the media criticized his coaching decisions.

The Fallout from the Trade

But in the end, DiVincenzo’s loyalty and hard work were rewarded with a trade—one that likely feels more painful because it seemed so unnecessary. Unlike Julius Randle, who missed most of last season due to injury, DiVincenzo had been healthy, reliable, and productive. Furthermore, the Knicks’ plan to reunite the Villanova Four felt like a genuine opportunity to build something special. Yet, just as the pieces were coming together, DiVincenzo was “kicked out” of the group.

That being said, it’s important to recognize the Knicks’ perspective in making this trade. New York was in a difficult position—they needed to shore up their frontcourt, especially after losing Isaiah Hartenstein and dealing with injuries to other big men like Miroslav Milojevic. When the opportunity to acquire a player of Karl-Anthony Towns’ caliber came along, the Knicks had little choice but to make a move. In doing so, they had to give up DiVincenzo, one of their most valuable trade assets, to make the deal work.

Fortunately for DiVincenzo, he wasn’t traded to a bad situation. The Timberwolves are a strong team with legitimate championship aspirations. While moving to Minnesota might be a downgrade in terms of lifestyle, the Wolves offer DiVincenzo a chance to compete for a title.

What’s Next?

As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, all eyes will be on both the Knicks and the Timberwolves, especially when they meet in the regular season. DiVincenzo’s anger towards Thibodeau may linger, and it will be interesting to see if those feelings resurface when the two teams face off again.

And who knows—if the stars align, we might even see these two teams square off in the NBA Finals. Given the drama from this preseason game, that matchup would certainly be one for the ages.