DiVincenzo, Rick Brunson separated after Wolves-Knicks preseason game

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo and New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson - the father of Knicks guard Jalen Brunson - had to be separated following the teams' preseason contest Sunday after a brief but tense exchange.

DiVincenzo, who was traded by New York to Minnesota earlier this month as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster, appeared to tell Brunson during the altercation that he was talking to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Earlier in the contest, DiVincenzo appeared to yell at someone on the Knicks bench while preparing to shoot a free throw, though it's unclear if the two incidents are related.

The 27-year-old guard partly addressed the two moments postgame, telling reporters that he had "no comment on the situation" between him and Brunson, courtesy of SNY. He did, however, clarify that he wasn't thanking Thibodeau for trading him to Minnesota while jawing with New York's bench.

"I didn't say thanks for the trade," DiVincenzo said, adding, "It was about a finish. I was joking with Thibs about not being able to finish, giving him a hard time ... I saw the clip, I didn't say anything about the trade."

He added that the comments were made in a "general direction" and were due to being competitive.

DiVincenzo started in 63 of 81 games for the Knicks last season and averaged career highs in scoring (15.5 points per game) and 3-point shooting (40.1%). Sunday's preseason encounter was his first game against his former team since being dealt to the Timberwolves alongside Julius Randle. He finished with 15 points, seven assists, and three rebounds in 27 minutes.

The Wolves and Knicks won't meet in the regular season until Dec. 19 in Minnesota.