In a move that caught many by surprise, the New York Knicks have parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau — just days after the team made its deepest playoff run since the 1990s.

The decision, announced Tuesday, comes three days after the Knicks were eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals in six games by the Indiana Pacers. Despite the disappointing end, New York’s postseason journey included a stunning second-round upset over the defending champion Boston Celtics and showcased the emergence of a promising new core.

A Surprising Goodbye to a Proven Winner

Thibodeau, who was signed to a three-year extension just last summer, leaves behind a legacy of stability and success in a franchise that has long craved both. Over five seasons, he led the Knicks to consecutive 50-win campaigns — a feat the team hadn’t accomplished since 1995 — and this year surpassed Pat Riley to become fourth all-time in coaching victories for the storied franchise.

Still, the front office felt a change was needed.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” team president Leon Rose said in a statement. “This pursuit led us to the decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.”

Rose thanked Thibodeau for his dedication and heart, calling him “forever part of our Knicks family.”

Thibs’ Deep Knicks Roots and Lasting Impact

Thibodeau’s connection to the Knicks stretches back to the ‘90s, when he served as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy during one of the franchise’s most memorable eras. One of his assistant coaches, Rick Brunson, played for those same Knicks teams and used to bring his young son, Jalen, to practices — the same Jalen Brunson who now stars as the team’s franchise player.

Brunson, visibly frustrated when asked about Thibodeau’s job security after their season-ending loss, responded: “Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he’s the right guy? Yes. Come on.”

A Season of Bold Moves and Big Minutes

The 2024-25 season was anything but conventional for the Knicks. In a flurry of aggressive moves, the front office sent five first-round picks to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, then flipped Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

The trades transformed the Knicks into one of the most talented starting lineups in the league — but at the cost of bench depth. True to form, Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters, often playing them more than any other five-man unit in the NBA, even as the league continues to prioritize rest and load management.

A Strong Coaching Resume, Still Missing a Finals

Thibodeau’s time in New York was his third head coaching stint in the NBA, following tenures in Chicago (2010–15) and Minnesota (2016–19). Across all three stops, he has compiled a .579 winning percentage — the highest in league history among coaches without a Finals appearance (minimum 300 games), per ESPN Research.

Though he exits without reaching the NBA’s biggest stage, Thibodeau’s impact on the Knicks’ culture and identity will be hard to ignore.

Now, as the team looks to build on its recent momentum with a new voice at the helm, one thing is clear: expectations in New York have changed — and they’re higher than ever.

Source: ESPN – Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau as coach after five seasons

The post Knicks Part Ways with Coach Tom Thibodeau After Deep Playoff Run appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Madison Square Garden was buzzing with excitement as the New York Knicks held a comfortable 14-point lead with less than three minutes left in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Fans believed the win was all but sealed—until Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith sparked one of the most dramatic comebacks of this postseason.

The Pacers, down but not out, clawed their way back thanks to Nesmith’s incredible shooting spree. The 25-year-old former Celtics first-round pick nailed five three-pointers in the final three minutes of regulation, keeping Indiana’s hopes alive and the Knicks on edge.

With the clock winding down and the Pacers trailing by two points, Haliburton rose to the occasion. He launched a buzzer-beater jumper that bounced high and, against all odds, fell through the net. The Garden erupted—only for officials to rule it a two-pointer after review, sending the game into overtime instead of ending it.

Not missing a beat, the Pacers dominated the extra period and secured a thrilling 138-135 victory. Haliburton finished with a standout performance: 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith poured in 30 points, hitting eight of nine from beyond the arc.

This comeback marked the third time the Pacers have pulled off an improbable late-game rally this postseason. Indiana’s resilience is historic—since the 1996-97 season, only four teams in over 1,700 playoff games have overcome a seven-plus point deficit in the final 50 seconds or overtime. Remarkably, Indiana achieved this feat three times in these playoffs alone.

The Pacers had earlier erased similar deficits against the Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, making their Game 1 victory even more impressive. In fact, Indiana is the first team in the last 27 postseasons to win a game when down by 14 points with less than three minutes left in regulation, according to team stats.

Despite the loss, Knicks star Jalen Brunson put respect on Indiana’s performance. “Give them a lot of credit—they closed the game out like they’ve been doing all playoffs. It wasn’t our best moment,” Brunson admitted after leading all scorers with 43 points.

Haliburton’s Famous Gesture Sparks Talk

After the game, Haliburton revealed he grew up watching the 2010 documentary Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks, which features Miller’s iconic “choke” gesture during a famous Indiana comeback in the ’90s. Inspired, Haliburton mimicked the gesture after his buzzer shot, playfully taunting the stunned crowd.

However, once he learned the shot was only worth two points, Haliburton expressed a hint of regret. “It felt right at the time,” he said. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have done it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura-farming, so I probably won’t use it again.”

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle shrugged off the moment. “Players can do what they want. It’s emotional and not a big deal. The place was loud, and the environment here is always intense,” Carlisle said. “This is playoff basketball.”

A Rivalry with History and Future

The Knicks and Pacers share a long playoff history dating back to the ’90s, with battles featuring legends like Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, and Dale Davis. Last year, Indiana eliminated New York in a dramatic Game 7 on the Knicks’ home court.

Yet Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns dismissed the idea of repeating history. “It’s our job to make history, not repeat it,” Towns said after his 35-point, 12-rebound performance. “I only think about what we can do now to make our own history.”

Game 2 of the series is set for Friday night in New York, promising more high-stakes drama in this riveting Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Source: CNN – Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana Pacers stun New York Knicks in overtime to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals

The post Haliburton and Nesmith Lead Epic Pacers Comeback at MSG appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.