Report: Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Wasn’t Interested In Knicks Job

According to Ben DuBose, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka wasn’t interested in the New York Knicks job. 

The Knicks asked the Rockets if they could interview Udoka and were denied. 

The Rockets made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2020. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in seven games. 

Udoka was hired by the Rockets in 2023. He is 93-71 in the regular season and 3-4 in the playoffs. 

Udoka coached the Boston Celtics in 2021-22. He led the team to the NBA Finals, where Boston lost to Golden State in six games.

The Celtics then fired Udoka after he had an inappropriate relationship with someone in the organization. 

New York fired Tom Thibodeau despite making the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. 

Thibodeau, who has coached the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, was hired by the Knicks in 2020. He went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the postseason and won the 2021 Coach of the Year Award. 

Thibodeau took out a full-page ad in The New York Times to thank the Knicks and their fans. 

“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you. When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dream became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special.

“I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals-our first in 25 years. And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget. With gratitude and respect, Tom Thibodeau.”