DiVincenzo's Fiery Return Against the Knicks

What happens when you face your old team? If you’re Donte DiVincenzo, you come with a bit of spice. In what was supposed to be a standard preseason matchup, things got pretty spicy between the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. And no, we’re not just talking about a few solid dunks. Donte DiVincenzo, recently traded to the Wolves, decided to bring a little heat of his own, but not exactly on the court.

In his first game back at Madison Square Garden after being traded in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, DiVincenzo seemed to take things personally. First, he was seen shouting toward Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau during free throws. His words? Something along the lines of "Can't finish, right Thibs?" before adding, "That's what happens when they let you run the show."

But the drama didn’t end there. After the game, things escalated even further between DiVincenzo and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson. The two were spotted in a heated argument that led to both teams stepping in to cool the situation. Although it’s unclear what exactly was said, DiVincenzo later commented that he was directing his words to Thibodeau, not Brunson.

While the former Villanova guard has no regrets about his outburst, he did reflect fondly on his time with the Knicks, particularly his clutch performance in Game 2 of last season's playoffs. But hey, he’s moved on to Minnesota, a team that’s riding high after making it to the Western Conference finals last year.

Playing it Safe

Meanwhile, over in Philadelphia, Joel Embiid is sitting out the rest of the preseason. Why? It's all about managing his left knee, which has given him trouble over the past few seasons. Embiid wasn’t present for the Sixers' preseason road trip to Iowa and Boston, instead, he was checking in with doctors. But the good news is that that meeting went well, and the plan is to get his knee as close to 100% as possible for the regular season.

The Sixers are taking the long view here, which means Embiid won’t suit up until at least the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 23. Philly’s goal is to have their superstar center in peak condition when it really matters. After all, this season is shaping up to be one of the most promising in the Embiid era. With offseason signings like Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry, the Sixers are aiming for a deep playoff run – and they’re going to need a healthy Embiid to make that happen.

Embiid, who played in only 39 games last season due to injury, has reportedly dropped 25 to 30 pounds to relieve some pressure off his knee. The big man is committed to staying on the floor and delivering the MVP-caliber performance we know he’s capable of. And with the pieces the Sixers have put together, the City of Brotherly Love might just have something to celebrate come June.

Paul George Shines in Sixers Debut Despite Preseason Loss

No jitters, no rust, Paul George made quite the first impression in his Philadelphia 76ers debut. In preseason matchup against the Timberwolves, George dropped 23 points and grabbed six rebounds, shooting an efficient 8 of 15 from the field. And this is just the preseason.

"I felt good," George said, shrugging off the fact that it’s just exhibition action. "I needed to get my wind up and find some rhythm." Clearly, his rhythm was intact, as he lit up the second quarter with 13 of his 23 points. Sure, the Sixers took a 121-111 loss, but let’s not get hung up on the score, George was the spark Philly needed, and he didn’t disappoint.

With Joel Embiid resting, it was George and Tyrese Maxey who ran the show. Their ability to push the tempo without sacrificing defense is a game-changer for Philly. George’s versatility adds so many options to the Sixers’ offense, whether it’s knocking down threes, taking defenders one-on-one, or setting up his teammates, he fills a gap that was glaringly present last season.

But what makes George’s move even more noteworthy is that the Clippers let him walk for nothing. No blockbuster trade, no assets gained, just gone. It’s not something you see often, and the Sixers scored big. George is the insurance policy Philly’s been dreaming of for when Embiid takes his routine games off, and his two-way presence is going to make this team a serious problem for opponents.

With George, Maxey, and Embiid soon to take the floor together, we’re looking at a Sixers squad that might just have the perfect formula to break through and finally win a championship.

From Dunk Legend to Hall of Famer

Vince Carter, the man who played in the NBA for four different decades, is officially on his way to the Hall of Fame. He scored over 25,000 points, made eight All-Star teams, and won the 1999 Rookie of the Year. But let's be honest, what most of us remember him for is that unforgettable 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.

During a press conference for this year’s Hall of Fame class, Carter revealed something shocking: his routine that day? Made up on the spot. Yup, the same iconic performance many still call the greatest dunk contest of all time was completely improvised. He ditched his planned routine last minute, deciding it just wasn’t enough to take home the win.

Stewart Shines, Liberty Bounce Back

Breanna Stewart didn’t lose any sleep after the Liberty’s tough Game 1 loss in the WNBA Finals last Thursday. Even though her free throw rimmed out at the end of regulation and she missed a layup in overtime, Stewart knew she hadn’t done anything wrong fundamentally. But when you’re a two-time MVP, you’re always hungry for redemption.

And that’s exactly what Stewart served up in Game 2. With her fingerprints all over the box score, Stewart led New York to an 80-66 win over the Lynx, dropping 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and a Finals-record 7 steals. She didn’t just score; she wreaked havoc on both ends of the floor, forcing turnovers and leading by example.

An added bonus? Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who’s been battling knee issues, stepped up with 20 points, tying her season-high. Laney-Hamilton’s gritty performance was exactly what the Liberty needed to regain momentum in the series.

With the series tied 1-1 and heading to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, things are heating up between these two powerhouse teams. The Liberty boast the best road record this season, and they’ll need every bit of that momentum as they face the Lynx in their house.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team