Celtics Get Another Advantage Over Knicks

Episode two of the 2025-26 New York Knicks season could feature the revenge of the Thibs.

Multiple reports from the base of the Boston Celtics revealed that former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau descended upon Beantown prep with their season set to get underway. Such reports indicated that Thibodeau helped go over film from last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, which saw his Knicks end Boston's bid for a championship repeat in six games.

Former Knicks Coach Helping Celtics

"They eliminated us last year, so him being able to give us some of the thoughts that he saw in that series and some of the stuff that they broke down in our personnel – or even our team, helps us grow and learn from that,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown said, per Megan Ottolini of WEEI. “We lost last year. It stung losing to the Knicks. So, to have Thibs here at our practice and explaining some of things that he saw that helped them beat us only helps me get better, only helps us get better. So, I value that. Shout out to Thibs for being here today.”

Former #Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau sat in on #Celtics practice today. pic.twitter.com/XkMPk7r14U
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 20, 2025

“He’s been one of the best coaches around for a long time,” current Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla added, per Conor Ryan of Boston.com. “Worked here, won a championship here, and just having him around makes me better, makes our organization better. Just a lot of respect for him.”

Knicks Get Another Disadvantage Against Celtics

Thibodeau is one of several basketball names to have connections to both the Knicks and Celtics, one of the longest-tenured rivalries in the history of the NBA. He served as the associate head coach under Doc Rivers for three seasons (2007-10) and was considered to be an x-factor in the Celtics' 2008 championship run starring Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Boston will likely need all the inspiration it can get if it seeks to linger in the Eastern Conference penthouse: the Celtics endured a bit of transformative offseason, dealing away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis before losing Al Horford to free agency. While mainstays Brown and Derrick White are still in tow, the Celtics will play most, if not all, of this season without Jayson Tatum, who endured a brutal Achilles injury during the series against the Knicks.

Thibodeau's return to Boston parquet amused at least one of his tenured proteges, as Knicks center Mitchell Robinson labeled it the "best thing [he] saw all day" on his Instagram Story (h/t New York Basketball on X).

Mitchell Robinson on Thibs breaking down film with Celtics: “😂😂😂😂😂😂 bruhhh I’m fkin crying this is the best thing I saw all day” pic.twitter.com/gXH9xGftAt
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 20, 2025

The Knicks' 4-2 victory from last spring wound up being Thibodeau's last metropolitan hurrah, as punching the franchise's first Eastern Conference Finals ticket since 2000 failed to extend his stay at Madison Square Garden. Since his departure in June, the Knicks have hired Mike Brown as his successor and Thibodeau has made several guest appearances at the practices of pro and collegiate squads seeking his hardwood wisdom. His de facto redemption tour included a stop at St. John's, the Knicks MSG co-tenant.

Thibodeau's visit should only add further intrigue to the upcoming nationally-streamed divisional bout between the Knicks and Celtics set for the end of this week at MSG. Thibodeau isn't the only coach caught the crosshairs, as a recent report from longtime NBA insider Marc Stein stated that the Knicks made a play for Mazzulla before turning to Brown.

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