Rick Brunson says that he and Donte DiVincenzo have moved past their spat.
Following a preseason game between the Knicks and Timberwolves, DiVincenzo got into a verbal skirmish with Brunson, an assistant on the Knicks and the father of star point guard Jalen Brunson.
Rick addressed the topic on the “Roommates” podcast hosted by his son and Knicks teammate Josh Hart.
Hart opened up the show by jokingly asking the elder Brunson if he “wanted to put the paws” on DiVincenzo, who was traded to Minnesota this offseason along with Julius Randle in a package that brought back Karl-Anthony Towns.
The assistant coach laughed before giving an answer.
“First of all, as you know, he’s family man,” Brunson said. “Thought it was blown out of proportion. But, we could’ve handled it — or I could’ve handled it — in a better way. But I know you, I know him, I know Mikal [Bridges], I know where you guys come from. I just wanted to make sure we all acted accordingly. I thought, myself included, we didn’t act right. But it’s over. The next day, we talked. It’s all good.”
Brunson went into an aside about how he’s also gotten on the case of Hart as well as his son, before bringing it back to DiVincenzo.
“We good man. Donte be at the Thanksgiving dinner,” Brunson said.
Jalen Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo all played together at Villanova prior to winding up as teammates on the Knicks.
During the preseason game, DiVincenzo was jawing at Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau and Rick called DiVincenzo out for it.
“Sucka s–t man,” Rick Brunson reportedly told DiVincenzo. “That was some sucka s–t. I’ma let you live brother.”
“You talked to me. I was talking to Thibs,” DiVincenzo responded. “You want to bring it out here for the camera.”
DiVincenzo and Brunson were separated following the verbal exchange.
