The New York Knicks and head coach Tom Thibodeau have parted ways after another captivating NBA season ended without a championship. The move comes on the heels of New York’s Eastern Conference Finals appearance, marking a turning point for a franchise hungry for more.
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” Knicks President Leon Rose said. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.”
Thibodeau guided New York to its first appearance in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, secured at least 50 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1990s, and reached the playoffs in four of his five campaigns.
Critics have often questioned his intense coaching style, pointing to heavy minute loads for stars like Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby—each ranking among the league’s top 10 in minutes per game this season.
This year, the Knicks finished third in the Eastern Conference, dispatched the Detroit Pistons and defending champion Boston Celtics in six games apiece, before bowing out to the Indiana Pacers in the Conference Finals.
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New York Knicks fire coach Thibodeau after exit from NBA Playoffs
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