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Jalen Brunson Defends Coach Tom Thibodeau Against Loaded Question on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 9:29 AM ET

The New York Knicks' 2024-25 season ended with a Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, sending coach Tom Thibodeau, Knicks ownership and players back to the drawing board.

The Knicks started the series off strong before giving up a seemingly impossible fadeaway jumper to Tyrese Haliburton that sent Game 1 into overtime, setting the tone for the rest of the series.

New York never quite found its footing as the Knicks were soundly defeated by Indiana 125-108 in the series' final game.

Following the game, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was asked a direct question about his thoughts on Tom Thibodeau's fitness to lead the team going forward, responding back in a strong willed way.

"Jalen, you talked about the confidence obviously...Do you kinda feel that going forward he's the same guy to lift you guys the rest of the way...To that next level?" Brunson was asked by a reporter in a video that began circulating Sunday morning.

"Is that a real question right now?" Brunson responded.

"You just asked me if I believe he's the right guy. Yes. Come on," Brunson said.

"Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he's the right guy. Yes. Come on"

– Jalen Brunson on Thibs

Athletic: Thibs "has the backing of Leon Rose, league sources said, & full buy-in from Brunson…But ultimately James Dolan is final decisionmaker" pic.twitter.com/AwwL03KoJC
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 1, 2025

OG Anunoby scored 24 points to lead the Knicks. Karl Anthony-Towns scored 22 and Brunson added 19.

The Knicks' defense ceded 30-plus points in the 2nd through 4th quarters, failing to stop the Pacers' high octane offensive attack when it mattered most yet again.

Thibodeau sounded upbeat about the Knicks' chances to improve this offseason through this month's NBA draft, free agency, and other avenues.

Now the real work begins for the Knicks' front office as they seek the team's first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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