New York Knicks part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Thedarn New York Knicks axed head coach Tom Thibodeau on the 4th of June, 2025 (PH time), after a disappointing loss against their age-old rival, the Indiana Pacers, in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team honchoes labeled it a "bloody tough call," but claimed it was a vital step in their quest for a championship.
"We gotta give a massive shout-out to Tom for pouring his guts and grit into every day of being the New York Knicks head coach for the past five seasons. He took charge with class and sheer professionalism, guiding us not only to four playoff berths and victories in the playoff series, but also transforming the struggling franchise into a playoff contender," team president Leon Rose spoke in a statement.
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Thibodeau, a 66-year-old veteran, managed to revive the Knicks since he took the helm in 2020. This year's run to the conference finals marked the team's best performance in a quarter-century, earning Thibodeau accolades for making the most of a roster that was rag-tag due to injuries and could hardly match the star power of their rivals.
Thibodeau wraps up his term in New York with a record of 175 wins and 143 losses in the regular season, and two playoff appearances in four seasons. The search for his replacement is already underway, starting immediately.
Now, a bunch of potential candidates are being tossed around, such as the likes of Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Johnnie Bryant, along with some established names like Michael Malone, according to various reports and betting odds. The selection process is still rolling, with no official announcement on the new head coach yet.
"Given Thibodeau's impressive five-season tenure with the New York Knicks, during which he turned a struggling franchise into a playoff contender, it's no wonder that his departure has left a notable gap. The NBA landscape is abuzz with the news of his exit, paving the way for potential coaches like Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Johnnie Bryant, and Michael Malone to make their bid for the coveted position."
"In the ongoing search for a new head coach, the focus lies not only on implementing a fresh strategic approach for the Knicks but also on sustaining the progress that Thibodeau had started in leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, the team's best performance in a quarter-century."
