Ben Stiller has long been a New York Knicks fan, frequently spotted at their home games at Madison Square Garden. During the team's recent playoff run, which ended in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, he was also seen supporting the team in Indiana during the series.
While the Knicks' season ultimately fell two wins short of a trip to the 2025 NBA finals, as the Pacers knocked New York out 4-2 in the conference finals, the aftermath surprised many fans.
The Knicks have become a legitimate title contender again behind head coach Tom Thibodeau. Since taking over the head coaching gig in 2020-21, the Knicks have made the playoffs in four of five seasons with Thibodeau at the helm, yet they still opted to fire the head coach on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported.
BREAKING: The New York Knicks are relieving Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach, sources tell ESPN. Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first East Finals in 25 years, made playoffs in 4 of 5 years and led Knicks to consecutive 50+ win seasons for first time since the 1990s. pic.twitter.com/B7w8KhoEcF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2025
Among the many reactions that poured in, Stiller's was noteworthy, and he sent a strong message supporting the veteran head coach. The Hollywood star praised Thibodeau for making the Knicks contenders again and specifically for making them "winners again."
"I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back. I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him.
Thank you COACH THIBS." - Stiller wrote on X.
I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back. I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners…
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) June 3, 2025
This year's Knicks team made it further than any group in the franchise's past 25 seasons. This fact alone made the front office's decision to part with Thibodeau even more surprising.
Now, fans will play the waiting game to find out who Leon Rose and company have their sights set on to become the franchise's next head coach.