Report: Rockets Won’t Let Knicks Talk To Ime Udoka

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. 

Thibodeau joined the Knicks in 2020. He went 226-174 in the regular season and 24-23 in the playoffs. 

According to Ian Begley of SNY, Knicks president Leon Rose fired Thibodeau after meeting with his “top players.”

New York owner James Dolan was in the meeting, too. 

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said in a statement. “This pursuit led us to the decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction. We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach.

“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

The Knicks made the conference finals this year for the first time since 2000. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games.