The New York Knicks have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau just days after the team’s most successful season in over two decades, leaving NBA fans and legends stunned. Thibodeau led the Knicks to 51 wins and their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, but the team fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games to end their playoff run.
The decision has sparked widespread confusion, with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson publicly questioning the move. “WOW WOW WOW. I can't believe the NY Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was fired today after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals! The biggest question is why was he fired? Now, who will be the next coach of the Knicks?” Johnson posted on social media.
Under Thibodeau’s leadership, the Knicks became perennial playoff contenders, reaching the postseason four times in five years and notching back-to-back 50-win seasons—milestones the franchise had not achieved in years Team president Leon Rose stated the organization is focused on winning a championship and believes a coaching change is the next step, but offered little detail on the reasoning behind the decision.
With Thibodeau out, attention now turns to the future of star guard Jalen Brunson and the search for a new head coach to build on the Knicks’ recent momentum.
