Despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and securing 51 wins, Tom Thibodeau was dismissed as Knicks head coach due to player concerns over his demanding style and playoff inflexibility. The franchise now seeks a more modern, championship-caliber approach.
In a stunning move that underscores the shifting ambitions at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, despite the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years and posting its best record since 2013.
Points this season
New York Knicks
NBA
Thibodeau, 66, led the Knicks to 51 wins this season and three consecutive playoff appearances. But that wasn’t enough.
According to multiple reports, including SNY and ESPN, the decision stemmed from serious concerns raised in a post-playoff meeting between team president Leon Rose, owner James Dolan, and key players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.
While the trio respected Thibodeau, they questioned his in-game adaptability, playoff rotations, and especially his intense reliance on core players. All three ranked among the NBA’s top 20 in minutes played this season, with Hart and Bridges at the very top of the league.
Brunson, who emerged as the team’s star, supported his coach publicly, but injuries and fatigue caught up with him during the Indiana series. Management interpreted this as an "alarm bell" — a warning that the Knicks’ current trajectory wasn’t sustainable under Thibodeau’s demanding style.
Despite Thibodeau bringing stability and identity to a once-floundering franchise, the front office opted for a more modern, player-centric direction. The decision signals that making the playoffs is no longer enough — the Knicks now want to contend for a championship.
Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.