Knicks Fire Coach Tom Thibodeau After Strong Season and Playoff Run

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, just three days after the team lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The dismissal marks an unexpected shift for a franchise that saw its best playoff performance in 25 years under Thibodeau.

The Knicks concluded the 2024-25 NBA season with 51 wins, the highest total since the 2012-13 season, when they were led by Carmelo Anthony. Thibodeau’s tenure included four playoff appearances in five seasons, along with back-to-back 50-win seasons.

Team president Leon Rose praised Thibodeau’s efforts in a statement, saying, “Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to inform Tom that we’ve decided to move in another direction. We thank him for his dedication to the team.”

Despite previous support from players like Jalen Brunson, who referred to Thibodeau as the right coach for the team, the front office ultimately decided a change was necessary. Brunson said, “Is that a serious question? Yes. I know what we got.”

Thibodeau’s dismissal underscores the high expectations within the Knicks organization. The team’s struggles in the playoffs, highlighted by inconsistent performances against the Pacers, raised concerns among the management.

The Knicks’ coaching history has seen many changes, and this latest move makes Thibodeau the seventh coach to be fired in the last ten years. Rose did not cite specific reasons for Thibodeau’s firing, simply stating that it was a decision made for the future of the organization.

With Thibodeau’s departure, the Knicks are now looking for a new leader as they prepare for another season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who takes the reins next.