Knicks Replace Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown After Eastern Conference Finals Run

The New York Knicks are entering the 2025-26 season with high expectations, returning key players like Karl-Anthony Towns, who is entering his second full season with the team after a major trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns reflected on the difficulty of leaving Minnesota but has embraced playing close to home in New York, where he has significantly improved his performance. Despite the Knicks' recent success, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, they made a surprising decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, a move that lacked strong support from the players. Reports suggest that although the team respected Thibodeau, many veterans were ready for a fresh voice, and no players publicly advocated for his retention, paving the way for new coach Mike Brown to build trust with the core roster. Historically, the Knicks have struggled with championship success since their last NBA Finals appearance in 1999 and championship in 1973, despite featuring legendary players like Patrick Ewing, whose trade in 2000 marked a significant moment in franchise history. The franchise now faces the challenge of building on recent momentum under new leadership while managing high expectations from fans and the media.