Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson clash during practice on October 14, 2024

On October 13, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in the United States, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo had a heated exchange with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson following a preseason game. This marked DiVincenzo's first game at the Garden since being traded from New York two weeks prior. During the game, he was seen shouting towards the Knicks bench, which he later described as an inside joke with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. After the game, DiVincenzo and Brunson had to be separated, but DiVincenzo chose not to comment on the specifics of their exchange, preferring to resolve it privately. The game also featured notable performances from Karl-Anthony Towns, who played against his former team for the first time, and Julius Randle, who was absent due to injury. Towns recorded 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Randle was still recovering from shoulder surgery. Jalen Brunson, who has a close relationship with DiVincenzo, was present during the exchange and acknowledged the tension. Teammate Anthony Edwards praised DiVincenzo's competitive spirit, indicating that such passion is valued within the team. The emotional atmosphere was palpable, as the Timberwolves players adjusted to the changes in their roster, particularly with Towns now in a different uniform. Coach Chris Finch likened the transition to a family loss, emphasizing the need for time to adapt to these changes. Overall, the incident highlighted the intensity of the game and the personal connections between players and coaches, as well as the challenges of navigating team dynamics after trades and injuries.