The Run โ€” Knicks Universe

Knicks Universe Presents ยท The 2025โ€“26 Season

The Run

From the ashes of last year's heartbreak to the NBA Finals โ€” the story of New York's most electric playoff run in 53 years.

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A New Coach. A New Chapter.

Tom Thibodeau, former New York Knicks head coach
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Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau
Head Coach, 2020โ€“2025
Mike Brown, New York Knicks head coach, introductory press conference July 2025
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Mike Brown Intro Press Conf.
Mike Brown
Introductory Press Conf. ยท July 8, 2025

The Indiana Pacers series in 2025 was a missed opportunity. Coaching decisions were seen as the main reason โ€” and for that Thibs paid the price with his job.

On July 7, 2025, the Knicks hired Mike Brown โ€” a coach with four championship rings as an assistant, a deep coaching rรฉsumรฉ, and a completely different philosophy. Where Thibs gripped his rotation tight, Brown would go to the bench. Where Thibs isolated on half-court sets, Brown would preach ball movement, spacing, and what he called "sprays" โ€” drive-and-kick reads that opened shooters all over the floor.

Early results validated the coaching change as New York won the NBA Cup in December - but then January happened.

New Year's Eve, 2025
Collapse in San Antonio
The Knicks began a stunning 2โ€“9 stretch, cratering from 23โ€“9 to 25โ€“18. Calls for Brown's job filled sports radio. The season felt in freefall.
January 20, 2026
The Reset
Brown switched the defensive scheme โ€” funneling ball-handlers toward the sideline instead of the paint. New York demolished the Nets by 54 points and never looked back.
Final 39 Games
The Knicks go 28โ€“11
Powered by the NBA's second-best defense over that stretch, New York locked up the 3-seed in the East and entered the playoffs on fire.
Trade Deadline
Alvarado In, Y