Tom Thibodeau Leaves New York with Four Playoff Series Wins The Knicks Had Just One Playoff Series Win Since 2000 Before Thibs Arrived 😳

When Tom Thibodeau was hired as head coach of the New York Knicks in 2020, the franchise was mired in irrelevance. The team hadn’t won a playoff series in nearly a decade and had only one postseason series victory to show for itself since the year 2000. The Garden, once the mecca of basketball, had turned into a stage for visiting stars and constant rebuilding. But Thibodeau changed all of that.

Now, in 2025, as he parts ways with the Knicks, Thibodeau leaves behind a legacy of grit, growth, and—most importantly—winning. Under his leadership, the Knicks won four playoff series over five seasons, reigniting the energy and pride of Knicks fans everywhere. For a franchise that had been stuck in neutral for most of the 21st century, Thibodeau’s tenure was nothing short of a revival.

A Culture Reset

Thibodeau’s arrival wasn’t greeted with universal praise. Critics called him outdated. Some said his hard-nosed style wouldn’t resonate with modern players. But Thibs, ever the tireless grinder, went to work—implementing a culture of accountability, defense, and daily effort.

In his first season (2020–21), Thibodeau shocked the league by leading a previously bottom-feeding Knicks squad to a 41–31 record and the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. The team’s defense vaulted to among the best in the NBA, and Julius Randle emerged as an All-NBA forward under Thibodeau’s guidance. Though the Knicks fell in the first round to Trae Young and the Hawks, the message was clear: the Knicks were no longer a laughingstock.

Progress, Step by Step

The real breakthrough came over the next few years. Thibodeau didn’t just coach to win games—he coached to build. Slowly, the Knicks added more talent: Jalen Brunson’s arrival in 2022 changed the team’s offensive ceiling, while key draft picks and trades brought in the likes of Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and OG Anunoby. Each piece fit the mold of a “Thibs guy”: tough, defensive-minded, and unselfish.

In 2023, the Knicks won their first playoff series in a decade by taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. That marked just the second playoff series win for the franchise since 2000—a grim reminder of how long the drought had lasted.

But that series win was just the beginning. The Knicks followed it up with a thrilling 7-game war against the Heat in 2024 and another second-round appearance in 2025. By the time Thibodeau stepped away, his Knicks had captured four playoff series wins in five years—matching their total from the previous two decades combined.

A New Standard

Thibodeau’s true gift to the Knicks wasn’t just wins—it was identity. For years, New York lacked purpose, rolling out different coaches, GMs, and philosophies with no sense of long-term vision. Thibodeau brought clarity. His teams defended. They rebounded. They cared.

He demanded the best from his players, and in return, they delivered. Julius Randle had the best years of his career under Thibs. Jalen Brunson became a bonafide All-Star. Players like Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Mitchell Robinson blossomed into dependable NBA contributors.

And then there was the Garden crowd. For the first time in years, the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric—not just for marquee opponents, but for the Knicks themselves. The roar returned, and playoff basketball in New York once again mattered.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s put it into perspective. From 2000 to 2020, the Knicks managed just one playoff series win (against Boston in 2013). They missed the playoffs in 14 of those 20 seasons. They were often defined more by dysfunction than basketball.

Under Thibodeau (2020–2025):

• Five playoff appearances
• Four playoff series wins
• Three top-six finishes in the East
• A culture of defense and effort
• An elite home-court advantage

That’s not just an improvement—it’s a total shift in trajectory.

Why It Worked

Say what you will about Thibodeau’s methods—his tight rotations, long minutes, or intensity—but he got results. He revived careers. He demanded excellence. And he turned a group of underdogs into a perennial playoff team in a ruthless conference.

His relationship with the front office, particularly Leon Rose, helped align vision and execution. The Knicks weren’t chasing short-term splashes anymore. They were building something real. Thibs was never afraid of the spotlight, and in a media market like New York, that mattered.

What’s Next?

As Thibodeau exits, the Knicks face a critical moment. They have the foundation. Jalen Brunson is a star. The roster is deep. The fanbase is energized. Now, the question is: who takes them from respectable to champions?

Whoever steps in will owe a debt of gratitude to Thibs. He didn’t just coach the Knicks—he restored them. He gave New York basketball back its edge, its pride, and its hope.

And when Knicks fans look back years from now, they’ll remember this era not as another forgettable chapter, but as the moment the Knicks became relevant again.