Despite leading the New York Knicks to their deepest playoff run in a quarter-century, head coach Tom Thibodeau has been let go.
The Knicks announced on Tuesday that they had made the “difficult decision” to part ways with Thibodeau, believing that a coaching change was essential in their ongoing pursuit of an NBA championship.
“We are deeply grateful to Tom for his dedication and passion during his time with us,” said team president Leon Rose in a statement. “In his five seasons, he brought leadership, professionalism, and significant success—guiding us to four playoff appearances and four playoff series wins. While this decision was not easy, we believe it is the right move for the future of our franchise. Tom will always be part of the Knicks family, and we wish him the very best.”
The Knicks’ playoff journey ended Saturday night with a Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers, stopping them just two wins short of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Following the defeat, Thibodeau spoke candidly about the team’s future, stating, “After every season, you need to step back, decompress, analyze everything, and determine where improvements are needed.”
The Knicks concluded that the biggest change required was at the coaching position.
According to a person familiar with the decision, team president Leon Rose made the call with approval from owner James Dolan. ESPN was first to report the firing.
The decision is surprising considering how far the team has come under Thibodeau’s leadership. When he was hired in 2020, the Knicks were one of the NBA’s struggling franchises. He immediately turned things around, leading them to the playoffs in his first season and earning his second NBA Coach of the Year award. He even signed a three-year extension just last summer.
This season marked the team’s breakthrough, highlighted by a second-round victory over defending champion Boston that secured their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000—when Thibodeau was previously an assistant coach for the team.
Following Saturday’s elimination, Knicks star and team captain Jalen Brunson voiced strong support for Thibodeau, brushing off any doubts about his coach. “Is that a real question?” Brunson responded when asked if he thought Thibodeau was still the right coach. “Yes. Come on.”
Just three days later, Thibodeau was out, leaving behind a 226-174 record in New York—fourth-most wins by any Knicks coach.
Though he was often criticized for his intense, demanding coaching style and heavy reliance on his starters, Thibodeau’s methods appeared effective in New York. His no-nonsense, defense-first approach resonated with Knicks fans who longed for the gritty style of the 1990s.
Actor Ben Stiller, a frequent presence courtside at Madison Square Garden, shared his appreciation for Thibodeau on social media: “I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back. He gave everything he had and always looked to improve. I’m grateful for how far he took the Knicks. They’re contenders again.”
Under Thibodeau, the Knicks ended a long drought by winning playoff series in three straight seasons for the first time in over a decade. After going 50-32 in the 2023-24 season, the team finished 51-31 this year, bolstered by offseason trades that brought in All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.
Still, team leadership believed a new voice was needed to push the Knicks further toward ending their long-standing championship drought, which dates back to 1973—the last time they won an NBA title.
Thibodeau has deep ties to the Knicks, having grown up a fan in Connecticut and later serving as an assistant coach with the team from 1996 to 2003. He was part of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 championship staff and is widely respected as one of the league’s top defensive minds.
His head coaching career began with a bang in 2010-11, when he guided the Chicago Bulls to a 62-20 record and earned NBA Coach of the Year honors. He later coached the Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to New York.
Thibodeau exits with a career head coaching record of 578-420.
