The Knicks have hired veteran coach Mike Brown to lead the team after roughly a month-long search, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Brown, who last coached the Kings, now gets the keys to a Knicks team that it’s in the middle of a contending window.
New York surprisingly fired Tom Thibodeau despite its best playoff run in 25 years. Since then, the hiring process included multiple turns, including asking five organizations if they could interview their sitting head coach. But after the Knicks were denied each time, they turned their attention to available coaches on the open market.
Brown has previously coached the Cavaliers (twice), Lakers and Kings, putting together a career 454-304 record. He’s also earned the NBA’s Coach of the Year award twice in 2009 and 2023. He’s also been a key assistant on championship-winning squads for the Spurs and Warriors. Brown was fired by the Kings last December after starting 13-18 on the season despite previous success.
The Knicks also interviewed Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego and Micah Nori as part of the interview process, per Charania. But they land on Brown as the Knicks got a veteran coach to lead a team fresh off an East Finals appearance.
The Eastern Conference looks wide open for the 2025-26 season with the Knicks figuring to be part of the playoff picture. New York has gone all-in with its current roster, featuring stars like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and more. So the pressure will be up for Brown as he looks to lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
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