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

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NEW YORK – The New York Knicks made history on Friday night with a dominating 119-81 victory over the Boston Celtics, punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a quarter century.

Led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who each poured in 23 points, the Knicks overwhelmed the short-handed Celtics at Madison Square Garden, sending thousands of fans into a frenzy both inside and outside the arena.

The electric atmosphere matched the magnitude of the moment. This was the Knicks’ biggest playoff win ever — a stunning 38-point blowout — and their first time advancing this far since 2000, when they also faced the Indiana Pacers, their next opponent. Game 1 tips off Wednesday night in New York.

“It’s a great win. We advance,” said head coach Tom Thibodeau. “But we’ve got to get ready for the next series. The Pacers are a terrific team.”

The Celtics were without star Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 4, and couldn’t recover. Jaylen Brown tried to carry the load with 20 points, but the team quickly fell behind and never recovered. The Knicks jumped to a 64-37 halftime lead, matching their largest first-half playoff margin in the shot-clock era.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters early in the third quarter after the Knicks pushed the lead past 40 points.

“We didn’t have the same team this year that we had last year,” said Celtics guard Derrick White. “We had a goal, and we fell short.”

While the Knicks remained focused on their playoff journey, the city embraced the moment. Fans packed the streets, dancing and celebrating. Inside the Garden, celebrities like Ben Stiller and Lenny Kravitz stood and cheered alongside roaring crowds.

Josh Hart notched a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 21.

“I’m new here,” said Bridges, “but just seeing how much New York loves this team — it’s incredible to be a part of it.”

The Knicks are riding high, but the team is staying grounded. The celebration can wait — the Pacers are coming to town.

Source: AP News – Knicks beat Celtics 119-81 in Game 6 and advance to face Pacers in Eastern Conference finals

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