Donte DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson take turns for the Wolves-Knicks

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, playing at Madison Square Garden for the first time since moving from New York two weeks ago, had to be separated from Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson after the Knicks' 115-110 preseason win on Sunday night .

Players and coaches shook hands and hugged as the score was set, but DiVincenzo and Brunson – the father of Knicks star Jalen Brunson – found a word for each other during a brief verbal altercation in the backyard.

“I talked to Thibs,” DiVincenzo was once heard saying to Rick Brunson on camera.

The postgame exchange came after DiVincenzo was shown on camera at the free throw line early in the game, shouting toward the Knicks sideline.

“This is what happens when they let you run the show,” DiVincenzo said twice before firing a free throw in the first quarter.

After the game, the swingman declined to say exactly who he chatted with on the Knicks sideline, suggesting he initially enjoyed an inside joke with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.

Specifically regarding the postgame exchange with Rick Brunson, DiVincenzo declined to comment, saying he would rather discuss things with him privately.

The moments with DiVincenzo, who finished with 15 points and seven assists, somewhat overshadowed the fact that it was four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns' first game against his former team in nine seasons and the two-time All-Star. NBA forward Julius Randle is back at The Garden for the first time after six years as a Knick.

Towns had 16 points and 16 boards while Randle, still recovering from right shoulder surgery, did not play.

During the first timeout, the Knicks played a video honoring Randle and DiVincenzo on the arena's Jumbotron.

DiVincenzo, a key member of last season's Knicks team that broke the franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season, played at Villanova alongside Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, all of whom now play for the Knicks.

Jalen Brunson had his arm wrapped around DiVincenzo, who served as best man at the Knick star's wedding, during part of the postgame verbal exchange on the Garden floor.

Jalen Brunson said, “I was right there” when asked if he saw the exchange between his father and DiVincenzo. “They were words of affirmation.”

“My relationship with Jalen, he’s my brother and my best friend,” DiVincenzo said. “This is a separate relationship. I'll talk about it privately and find out everything. But it is what it is.”

Wolves star Anthony Edwards said he loves the competitive fire and aggression DiVincenzo plays with.

“You can’t be mad at him, man,” Edwards said, speaking about the guard’s game in general. “He makes the right plays and shoots the ball off the cover. New York will definitely miss him.”

The other Timberwolves also admitted to feeling a lot of emotions throughout the night. Edwards called Towns his brother, while Minnesota coach Chris Finch said it would take a while before it felt normal to see the big man in a different uniform.

“In some ways it’s like a death in the family,” Finch said. “You have to get through the first year and everything will be a bit strange. Once we start, it will be business as usual.”