This works fine when the datasource has at least 1 record. It also works fine with the grid control, so I assume this is a glitch with the timeline? I am one revision behind the latest, so this may already be fixed.
kendoTimeline = $("#divTimeLine").kendoTimeline({
        orientation: "horizontal",
        dateFormat: "MM/dd/yyyy",
        dataSource: {
            data: new Array(),
            pageSize: 0,
            sort: { field: "date", dir: "asc" }
        },
    }).data("kendoTimeline");
    kendoTimeline.destroy();
--------------------------
JavaScript Error: Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property 'destroy' of undefined
URL: http://localhost/SINet/STERLING/AllPoints/PublicScripts/kendoui.2020.2.617.commercial/js/kendo.all.min.js
Line Number: 94
