Tom Thibodeau has long been respected as one of the NBA’s sharpest basketball minds. That’s why, following the New York Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, reports suggested that his position with the team was secure. However, the Knicks decided to part ways with Thibodeau on Tuesday.
According to reports, the Knicks’ top players, including Karl-Anthony Towns, played a behind-the-scenes role in Thibodeau’s dismissal. This isn’t the first time Towns has been linked to such an outcome. From 2016 to 2019, Thibodeau served as both head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The franchise ultimately chose to fire Thibodeau while keeping Towns.
KAT got Thibs fired TWICE 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ojbEPAdKc7
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 3, 2025
Now, history appears to be repeating itself. Thibodeau is once again out of a job, and Towns is still standing. Reports suggest that Thibodeau’s decision to lean heavily on his starters during the playoffs may have stirred internal conflict within the organization. Whether it was a tipping point or simply added fuel to the fire, the coaching veteran’s playoff strategy didn’t sit well with everyone involved.
Fans React To Eerie Pattern Between Karl-Anthony Towns And Tom Thibodeau’s Firing
Karl-Anthony Towns’ involvement in yet another Tom Thibodeau firing has sent social media into a frenzy. Fans were quick to notice the odd pattern.
“Owned him ngl,” one fan wrote.
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Owned him ngl
— Michael Jordan's Burner Official (@jordanumbers) June 3, 2025
“Thibs got the KAT curse,” one comment read.
Thibs got the KAT curse
— 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶☀️ (@saroshitwt) June 4, 2025
One fan drew parallels between Towns and other influential stars like LeBron James.
“He’s just like LeBron,” the comment read.
He’s just like LeBron
— Dusty 🦉 (@DustyChargers) June 4, 2025
Others praised Towns’ impact with humor, including one who quipped, “Kat doing the lords work.”
Kat doing the lords work
— godcandle.algo | 🐲 (@OrnimusMaximus) June 3, 2025
Another simply summed it up, writing, “I guess Towns won that trade.”
I guess towns won that trade 😂
— Baztic (@baztic) June 4, 2025
Tom Thibodeau led the Knicks to four playoffs in his five-season career. Moreover, the Knicks made the conference finals after two decades under his wings.
