‘Happens Every Year’ — Ex-NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas Blasts Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau For ‘Getting Outcoached’

After a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks are staring at a 2-0 deficit after losing Game 2 114-109 on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

If there is one thing that is getting widespread attention amid the loss, it is the benching of Karl-Anthony Towns, sparking calls for head coach Tom Thibodeau to be sacked. Now, one more voice has criticized Thibodeau for the move: former Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas feels Thibodeau is getting outcoached every year.

Isaiah Thomas Is Disappointed With the Knicks After Game 2 Loss

Thibodeau was under criticism even before Game 2 of the series against the Pacers for riding his starters hard. The Knicks’ starting five is minus-50 when on the court together this postseason, and there’s no indication yet that Thibodeau may change the lineup for Game 3.

The struggles of New York’s starters were evident within the first few minutes of the opening quarter. The group trailed by 10 points with just seven minutes in the first quarter, and while the substitution of Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson did turn the tide in the Knicks’ favor, Thibodeau went with the starters again for the third quarter and ended up trailing again.

However, the game-changing point was perhaps the decision to bench Towns in favor of Robinson with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The All-Star had gone scoreless in the first quarter but picked up 20 points in the final three quarters. He was, however, struggling defensively, prompting Thibodeau to make the change.

It’s worth noting that the Knicks were down nine points at that point, raising questions about Thibodeau’s choice as to whether offense or defense was the need of the hour. As New York ended up losing the Game by five points, Thomas didn’t shy away from criticizing the Knicks head coach on X.

“Thibs getting out coached… this happens to his teams every year,” the former All-Star posted. “They die out because he doesn’t trust his bench.”

Thibs getting out coached… this happens to his teams every year. They die out because he doesn’t trust his bench

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas)

Thomas is a two-time All-Star and All-NBA Second Team selection who rose to stardom with the Celtics. Over the course of his 12-year NBA career, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.9 triples while shooting 43.4% from the field, 36.3% from deep, and 87.2% from the free-throw line.

His best year came in 2016-17 when he finished fifth in NBA MVP voting after averaging a career-high 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, 3.2 triples, and 0.9 steals on 46.3/37.9/90.9 shooting splits. His most recent NBA stint was with the Phoenix Suns during the 2023-24 season, but he played for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League this year in hopes of making an NBA comeback.

Thomas didn’t mince words about Thibodeau and his coaching, delivering his brutally honest take. It’s rare to see an active player call out a head coach like this, which may be a hint that Thomas may be moving on from his playing days and perhaps embracing a career as a broadcaster or podcaster (he has received offers to do both).

Every coach has a distinct style, and for Thibodeau, it’s riding out his starters long. The group of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns played 940 minutes during the regular season, and only two other lineups played even half as many minutes.

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While the Knicks did manage to win 51 games in the regular season and reach their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, the group has been repeatedly getting outscored, and the strategy could cost them a trip to the NBA Finals if no changes are made for the coming games.

Thibodeau was asked about the chances of changing the lineup following the loss to the Pacers, but didn’t tip his hand to the media.

“We’ve just got to keep looking at it, just got to be better,” he said.