Knicks' Jalen Brunson Says Thibodeau 'Meant a Lot to My Career,' Reflects on Firing

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson discussed former head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was fired by the team at the end of the 2024-25 season.

"I think obviously it's sad to see a man I've known for a long time part ways with this organization," Brunson said Tuesday, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "But he's meant a lot to me. I've expressed that to him, publicly and personally. He's meant a lot to my career up to this point."

Since Brunson joined Thibodeau and the Knicks in 2022, he's blossomed into one of the NBA's top offensive point guards.

The former second-round pick has averaged 26.4 points and 6.7 assists per game on 48.5/39.9/83.3 shooting splits in New York, earning a No. 5 finish in MVP voting during the 2023-24 season and taking home 2025 Clutch Player of the Year honors.

Brunson excelled as part of Thibodeau's slow-paced offensive approach, shooting 51.1 percent on shots taken after holding the ball for at least six seconds last season (via NBA.com). Only reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held a higher field-goal percentage among players to attempt at least six shots per game in that situation.

Brunson's father, Rick, also served as an assistant coach under Thibodeau during his head coaching stints with the Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. Rick played under Thibodeau when he was an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets and New York as well (h/t Bontemps).

While the Knicks advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year in 2025, they ultimately chose to part ways with Thibodeau after falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals.

New York made the playoffs four total times with Thibodeau, although every single postseason elimination occurred at the hands of a lower-seeded team.

Still, Brunson was appreciative of Thibodeau's impact on his career.