After leading the New York Knicks to their best performance in a quarter-century, head coach Tom Thibodeau has been relieved from his duties. The Knicks made this announcement on Tuesday.

At 67 years old, Thibodeau played a pivotal role in the team’s revival over recent years, guiding them to four playoff appearances in five seasons since being appointed in 2020. This past season, he led the Knicks to their best record in 25 years, reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000 after a notable upset against the defending champions, Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, the Knicks were unable to advance to the NBA Finals, falling in six games to the Indiana Pacers.

Leon Rose, the Knicks’ president, expressed the organization’s commitment to securing a championship for their fans. “This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” Rose stated. He praised Thibodeau’s dedication over the past five years.

Despite the successful season, rumors swirled around Thibodeau’s job security during the year, particularly as the Knicks struggled against the league’s elite teams. New York finished the regular season with a strong record of 51-31, the best since the 2012-13 season, securing the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Critics cited Thibodeau’s intense coaching style and reliance on starters as potential drawbacks, with worries about player fatigue. Nevertheless, Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ star point guard, defended Thibodeau’s position, stating unequivocally, “Yes,” when asked if he believed Thibodeau was the right coach for the team.

As the Knicks search for a new head coach, the goal remains to lead the franchise to their first championship since 1973.