As the Knicks and Timberwolves gathered to shake hands and hug after Sunday’s preseason game, New York’s assistant coach said Rick Brunson and the Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo had to be separated after a verbal exchange.

“A few words. I don’t know exactly what was said,” DiVincenzo, the former Knicks guard, said after the game. “Lots of people there. But I really can’t comment on the situation. I think we’ll both be men and talk about it privately.”

DiVincenzo was back at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Karl Anthony cities Trade that sent him from New York to Minnesota.

He got off to a strong start on Sunday, scoring nine points in the first six minutes.

At the 6:12 mark, DiVincenzo drove out and fired a shot into the paint over Towns, drawing a foul on the play. As DiVincenzo stood at the free throw line, he yelled toward the Knicks bench.

“I can’t finish, can I Thibs?” DiVincenzo said, according to a broadcast of the game.

DiVincenzo later said that he was joking with his former head coach Tom Thibodeau.

“I spoke to Thibs. I didn’t say anything about the trade and that was it,” he said.

DiVincenzo could also be heard shouting at the free throw line: “This is what happens when you let someone run the show.”

When asked about that comment after the game, DiVincenzo replied: “Obviously they caught me on video saying that. And I’m not there anymore. I play, I’m competitive, I wear my heart on my sleeve and that’s it.”

The security guard did not comment further on the incident, but DiVincenzo appeared to yell at Rick Brunson, a Knicks assistant coach and father of the Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

Rick Brunson and DiVincenzo likely know each other well, as he played with Jalen at Villanova and the two formed a close friendship off the field, as he was best man at the younger Brunson’s wedding.

Therefore, it’s safe to assume that DiVincenzo spent a lot of time with the Brunson family before his tenure with the Knicks.

“My relationship with Jalen – he’s my brother, my best friend. That’s a separate relationship,” DiVincenzo said when asked about Brunson. “I said I’ll talk about it privately and figure it out.”

DiVincenzo, of course, was a key figure in the Towns trade. Minnesota had coveted DiVincenzo for some time; They aggressively tried to sign him in free agency in 2023. I don’t think the Towns deal will happen without DiVincenzo.

New York had spoken to Minnesota about a possible trade at various points during the offseason and was hesitant to bring in DiVincenzo.

The guard had one of his best NBA seasons last year, setting the Knicks’ franchise record for three-pointers made in a single season.

DiVincenzo also played a large role in the Knicks’ ability to overcome injuries to significant players and win 50 regular season games.

Ultimately, New York apparently felt that Towns was a big enough upgrade to warrant sending a package that included the following Julius RandleDiVincenzo and a first-round pick for Minnesota.

Towns looked strong on Sunday, finishing the game with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

DiVincenzo received a long, loud ovation from the Garden crowd at Sunday’s pregame introduction. This love and appreciation is mutual, says DiVincenzo.

“My love for Knicks fans is through the roof. I said it – it was one of the best years of my life playing here last year,” DiVincenzo said before the game. “It’s something you dream about. I had no intention of being traded. I didn’t sign here (in New York) with the thought: “I’ll sign a four-year contract and hope to be traded after one year.”

“So that’s the part of it. You always have to separate the business aspect from the fans. I think the fans will always have a special place in my heart.”