Knicks Part ways With Thibodeau Over Jalen Brunson Usage

⁣ updated June 06, 2025

tom Thibodeau is out ​as coach ⁣of⁣ the New York⁣ knicks, a surprising‍ move considering ⁣the⁣ team’s ​recent Eastern Conference Finals appearance—their first in ‍25‍ years. According to reports, the decision stemmed from disagreements over Jalen Brunson’s usage ​and thibodeau’s​ inability to adapt strategies during the NBA ‌playoffs.

Brunson’s performance thrived under Thibodeau, reaching new career highs. This season, the star‌ guard averaged ‌26 points and ⁤7.3 assists. His playing ⁣time also increased, averaging 37.8 minutes in the postseason compared to 35.4 during the regular season.

Thibodeau is known for relying heavily on his starters, ⁤often with limited bench rotation. ‍The Knicks had three players among the league leaders in total minutes played, including Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, who averaged over 37 minutes ‍per game.

Brunson has missed games ‌due to ankle and calf injuries this ​season, raising concerns about his ⁣long-term durability under Thibodeau’s ⁤demanding system. The⁢ Knicks also appeared to reduce the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll during the conference finals; the pairing assisted on only five field goals.

Despite ‍Brunson’s support for Thibodeau, the front office decided ‍a change was necessary. Entering February, the Brunson and Towns pick-and-roll was highly effective, averaging 1.22 points‌ per play. Though, that dropped to⁣ 0.88 points after February as opponents adjusted their defense, forcing Brunson to take challenging shots.

Entering February,the Brunson and Towns ⁤pick-and-roll was the second-most-efficient pick-and-roll combination in the NBA,averaging 1.22 points per direct play. But after February, that dropped to 0.88 points per direct pick as opponents started putting a⁢ wing on brunson and switching a center onto the inconsistent-shooting Hart. Thibodeau never came up with an effective counter — often forcing Brunson to bail the team out at‍ the end of possessions.

The Knicks ⁤need their next coach to maximize the Brunson-Towns combination​ and leverage the team’s depth, especially with ‌the return of​ defensive player OG⁤ Anunoby. Utilizing a more comprehensive lineup could​ be more beneficial then overplaying the starters.

Mikal Bridges previously highlighted the team’s roster depth, saying, “We’ve got a lot​ of‌ good⁢ guys on this team that can take ⁤away ⁢the minutes, ‍which helps the defense, helps the offense, helps ⁣tired bodies being out there and giving up all these points… It helps us keeping fresh bodies out there.”

What’s next

The Knicks will begin their search ⁢for a new head coach, seeking someone who ​can optimize their offensive strategies and effectively manage player minutes to ⁢sustain long-term success.