We expected a more muscular opposition than the classic one of a preseason match between Knicks and Wolves, a few weeks after the trade between the two teams. We were served!
Julius Randle absent, the tone was set from the start of the match with a session of chambering of Donte DiVincenzo destined for the bench of his former team after a basket with the foul. Bad luck for the new Minnesota fullback, his words were captured on camera… and distorted on social networks.
Author of 15 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists in 27 minutes, Donte DiVincenzo explained it after the meeting, specifying that he had not mentioned the recent trade.
“I didn't say, 'Thanks for the trade.' It was about my finish. I joked with Thibs about not being able to finish. He wouldn't let me go with that. I said nothing about the trade, and it was over,” he declared. “It was generally directed at them. Of course, I was seen saying it. I'm not here anymore. But I play, with my heart, and I remain a competitor. That’s all.”
Anthony Edwards liked
After chasing the score until the middle of the third quarter, the Knicks managed to reverse the trend to win 115-110 after a great collective effort. But the victory did not relieve the pressure on New York's side, causing another tense exchange, this time between Donte DiVincenzo and Tom Thibodeau's assistant, Rick Brunson. Without it going very far in the end.
“There were words. I'm not completely sure what was said. There were a lot of people, but I don't really have any comments to make on the situation. I think we'll both act like men and talk about it in private.”, he addedalso specifying that his altercation in no way altered the quality of his relationship with Jalen Brunson, Rick's son.
This temperament is also what makes him strong, and it's not Anthony Edwards who will complain about it. The leader of the Wolves in any case appreciated the DiVincenzo style.
“We can’t blame him for that”confided the leader of the Wolves. “He always plays fair and manages to do well without needing the ball. He will clearly be missed in New York.”
| Donte DiVincenzo | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | MIL | 27 | 15 | 40.3 | 26.5 | 75.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 4.9 |
| 2019-20 | MIL | 66 | 23 | 45.5 | 33.6 | 73.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.2 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 66 | 28 | 42.0 | 37.9 | 71.8 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 10.4 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 42 | 24 | 35.1 | 33.9 | 84.3 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 9.1 |
| 2021-22 * | BAG | 25 | 27 | 36.2 | 36.8 | 83.9 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 10.3 |
| 2021-22 * | MIL | 17 | 20 | 33.1 | 28.4 | 85.2 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 7.2 |
| 2022-23 | GOS | 72 | 26 | 43.5 | 39.7 | 81.7 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 9.4 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 81 | 29 | 44.3 | 40.1 | 75.4 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 15.5 |
| Total | 354 | 25 | 42.8 | 37.6 | 77.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 10.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
