Jalen Brunson Sends Clear Message on Major Knicks Coach Uncertainty

Trouble in the Big Apple? Maybe not. 

As the New York Knicks gear up for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Jalen Brunson is making it clear that Tom Thibodeau still has his support.

With some fans calling for a change on the sideline due to postseason underachievement, Brunson didn’t shy away from praising the Knicks’ head coach when asked about his impact.

“Individually he’s meant a lot to my career,” Brunson told reporters on Friday. “I say he’s meant a decent amount to KAT with coaching KAT at Minnesota and here. There’s a lot of players who can say they’ve definitely benefited from Tom Thibodeau in his career.”

Brunson arrived in New York ahead of the 2022–23 season and has helped turn the Knicks into a steady playoff team. 

Under Thibodeau, New York has built a gritty identity, one that’s relied heavily on Brunson’s leadership and shot-making.

Brunson emphasized that Thibodeau’s attention to detail and approach have helped the team stay competitive, saying the Knicks are “always in a position where we can compete in the postseason.”

He also acknowledged the reality of any close player-coach relationship, adding, “He’s done a lot for my career so I’m always going to support him even when he annoys me.”

Thibodeau remains a polarizing figure among fans—especially when the Knicks come up short of playoff expectations—but within the locker room, his message still seems to be landing.