Tom Thibodeau Out as Knicks Head Coach Despite Playoff Surge

4 Jun at 11:00 am

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Tom Thibodeau Out as Knicks Head Coach Despite Playoff Surge/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau just days after their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. Despite leading the team to consistent playoff success, management cited the need for a new direction. The decision surprised fans and players alike, especially after a 51-win season and strong postseason run.

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau talks with players during a timeout during the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, May 23, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Knicks Coaching Change: Quick Looks

Coach Fired After Playoff Success: Thibodeau led Knicks to first conference finals since 2000.
Franchise Seeks New Direction: President Leon Rose called the move “difficult but necessary.”
Winning Record: Thibodeau finished with a 226–174 record over five seasons.
Team Support: Star player Jalen Brunson and fans publicly backed Thibodeau post-elimination.
Defensive Identity: Thibodeau’s gritty style resonated with Knicks fans and celebrities.
Playoff Turnaround: Knicks reached conference finals after knocking out defending champs Boston.
Long-Term Concerns: Critics cite player fatigue and heavy minutes as potential issues.
Historic Tenure: Thibodeau ranks fourth in all-time Knicks coaching wins.
Ownership Approval: Firing approved by team owner James Dolan, per reports.
Championship Hopes: Knicks continue search for first title since 1973.

Deep Look: Knicks Fire Coach Thibodeau After Historic Playoff Push

NEW YORK — In a decision that shocked both fans and analysts, the New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, just days after he led the franchise to its deepest playoff run in 25 years. Despite reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, Knicks leadership believes a coaching change is needed to win an elusive NBA championship.

Team president Leon Rose called the move “difficult” but justified it as a step toward the organization’s long-term goals.

“Tom led us not only with class and professionalism, but to tremendous success on the court,” Rose said in a statement. “But we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward.”

Thibodeau’s Impressive Knicks Legacy

Thibodeau, hired in 2020, helped turn around one of the NBA’s most underperforming franchises. Under his leadership, the Knicks made the playoffs four times in five years and won four postseason series — something that hadn’t happened since the 1990s.

In his first season, he led the team to a surprising playoff berth and earned his second NBA Coach of the Year award. Over five years, he posted a 226–174 record, the fourth-most wins by any coach in Knicks history. The team went 51–31 this past season after acquiring stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.

Playoff Success Meets Unexpected Dismissal

This year’s playoff run included a thrilling second-round victory over defending champion Boston. The Knicks ultimately lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games, falling just two wins shy of an NBA Finals berth.

Thibodeau remained optimistic during his post-game comments Saturday, emphasizing the need to reassess and prepare for next season.

“You do a deep dive on the team and then you analyze what you think you need to improve upon,” he said.

But the Knicks’ front office decided it wasn’t the roster that needed changing — it was the coach.

Players and Fans Show Support

Team captain Jalen Brunson responded with disbelief when asked if Thibodeau was the right man for the job.

“Is that a real question right now?” he said. “Yes. Come on.”

Actor and longtime Knicks fan Ben Stiller also voiced his appreciation for Thibodeau on social media.

“I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. The Knicks became winners again with him,” Stiller posted on X.

Criticisms Resurface Despite Results

Still, Thibodeau faced familiar criticisms — chiefly his demanding style and tendency to overplay starters. These concerns have followed him since his early days in Chicago and Minnesota, where player fatigue often became a topic late in the season.

But in New York, that tough-minded approach reconnected fans with the gritty, defense-first Knicks teams of the ’90s.

A Coach Who Knew the Knicks’ DNA

Raised in Connecticut and a lifelong Knicks fan, Thibodeau had previously served as an assistant with the team in the late 1990s. He returned to New York with a championship pedigree after helping lead the 2008 Boston Celtics to an NBA title as an assistant.

Thibodeau’s overall head coaching record now stands at 578–420, including successful tenures in Chicago and Minnesota. His departure leaves the Knicks with a critical vacancy as they seek to end their 51-year championship drought.