Report: Knicks Unlikely To Fire Tom Thibodeau

According to James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz of The Athletic, the New York Knicks are unlikely to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau has the backing of team president Leon Rose and star point guard Jalen Brunson. 

“During the playoff run, the coaching staff remained cautious of its future, understanding that a first-round loss to the Pistons or even a second-round defeat to the Celtics could mean changes, according to league sources,” Edwards III and Katz wrote. “Thibodeau absorbed criticisms about heavy minutes for the starters, hardly a new critique, but New York’s roster was one of the NBA’s healthiest all season and concluded the playoffs with no one injured. The coach has the backing of team president Leon Rose, league sources said, as well as full buy-in from Brunson, who signed with the Knicks in 2022 in part because he wanted to play for Thibodeau. But ultimately, owner James Dolan is the final decision-maker.”

The Knicks made the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

Thibodeau joined the Knicks in 2020. He is 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the playoffs. 

“In March, Bridges violated one of the no-nos in playing for Thibodeau, questioning the heavy minutes the starters played under the coach during a news conference with reporters. The comments rubbed the coaching staff the wrong way, sources said, and showed a disconnect,” Edwards III and Katz wrote.