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Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Addressed Tom Thibodeau's Firing With One Special Photo

Knicks star reacts to the surprising move.

Kyle Koster

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.
New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau with center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks' surprising move to part ways with Tom Thibodeau after a run to the Eastern Conference finals has sparked all types of reactions and blown up the phone of at least one NBA insider. Everyone from Night at the Museum star Ben Stiller to ESPN's Kendrick Perkins is weighing in on the decision.

Knicks players have opted to take a different route, focusing on the time they spent with the coach and how they are grateful for the experience. Josh Hart had a poignant four-word response in the immediate aftermath and hours later Karl-Anthony Towns shared a photo of himself with Thibodeau on Instagram.

Towns played under Thibodeau for just one year in New York after three previous seasons together with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it was an entirely productive one as the Knicks capped back-to-back 50-win seasons with two playoff series wins before running into the Pacers. Whomever the franchise hires next will inherit a strong roster and a bright spotlight.

More From Sports Illustrated on Tom Thibodeau Firing

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Kyle Koster
KYLE KOSTER

Kyle Koster is an assistant managing editor at Sports Illustrated covering the intersection of sports and media. He was formerly the editor in chief of The Big Lead, where he worked from 2011 to '24. Koster also did turns at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he created the Sports Pros(e) blog, and at Woven Digital.

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