Tensions were high at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night during an NBA preseason game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks.

The two teams were just weeks away from a blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Keita Bates-Diop. The trade sent shockwaves throughout the league and showed the Knicks were poised for an NBA championship as they paired Towns with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket against the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in New York City. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

DiVincenzo seemed to be playing with a chip on his shoulder.

The first thing he did was turn to the Knicks bench while shooting a free throw.

“Thanks for the trade, Thibs,” he appeared to say to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “Thank you very much for the exchange. …that’s what happens when you let them run the show.”

After the game, DiVincenzo and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson had a heated exchange and had to be separated.

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DiVincenzo told reporters after the game that he did not say “thanks for the trade” nor did he direct any comments toward Thibodeau.

The Minnesota Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo (left) and Julius Randle (second from left) laugh during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the New York Knicks on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in New York City. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

“It was in the general direction,” DiVincenzo said. “Obviously they had me on video saying it. I'm not here anymore. I play. I am competitive. I wear my heart on my sleeve. That was all.”

According to the New York Post, he said he would handle the Brunson situation privately.

DiVincenzo played 81 games for the Knicks during the 2023-24 season. He averaged 15.5 points per game and shot a career-high 40.1% from 3-point range.

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, #32, celebrates a basket behind Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, #0, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in New York York City. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

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He will embark on a new journey this year – the fifth team he has played with in four seasons.

The Knicks won the game 115-110. They meet on December 19th in the regular season.

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