Once again, the crowd at Madison Square Garden rose to salute Julius Randle And Donte DiVincenzo when the Knicks played a tribute video to the former players during New York’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Back at MSG for the first time since the Knicks traded the duo to Minnesota in a deal Karl Anthony citiesThe two received a warm ovation from Knicks fans as their service to the club was recognized.

And the feeling was mutual.

DiVincenzo spoke to reporters before the game and took time to thank and show his appreciation to Knicks fans after calling as “untrue” reports that he was “unhappy” about his potential role earlier in the year had.

“My love for Knicks fans is through the roof. “I said it like playing here last year was one of the best years of my life,” DiVincenzo said Sunday. “It’s something you dream about.” I hadn’t planned, I hadn’t wanted to, I hadn’t hoped that I would go. I didn’t sign a contract here thinking, ‘I’m going to sign a four-year deal and hope I get traded after a year.’ So that’s the part of it.

“You always have to separate the business aspect and then the fans. I think the fans will always have a special place in my heart. And also playing here, just being in here, having the energy here is just unmatched. A lot of people showed it to me, but it was mutual. You can’t even describe it. I don’t know how to get back with all the fans and everything, so we just said thank you because they’re great.”

Randle played in 330 games (all starts) for New York during his five seasons here, reaching the playoffs in three of five seasons. DiVincenzo played just one season, compiling a 50-32 record with the Knicks in 2023-24.

When asked about his favorite Knicks memory, DiVincenzo cited his game-winning three-pointer in Game 2 of the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers.

“I think the reason for that is not because of the game, but because of the situation, but because the ground was shaking,” he said. “We were in timeout and the ground shook and I’ve never been a part of something like that.”

DiVincenzo also received a standing ovation when he was introduced among the T-Wolves starters.

Randle, who is continuing his rehab from a shoulder injury that shortened his final season in New York, did not dress for the game and has not yet played in any of Minnesota’s preseason games.