Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla became the unexpected subject of a quiet New York Knicks coaching search this summer, according to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein.
After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau despite the team’s first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, the Knicks quietly gauged whether Mazzulla might be available.
“It has also been whispered that the Knicks likely did some backchannel exploration to determine if there was any pathway to pursue Boston’s Joe Mazzulla,” Stein wrote Monday. “There obviously was not … and then the Celtics extended Mazzulla’s contract in August.”
The Knicks eventually hired two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown, but the rumor underscored the growing respect Mazzulla has earned in league circles since leading the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship.
Thibodeau Shares Secrets at Celtics Practice
Adding to the intrigue, Thibodeau resurfaced in Boston this week — visiting the Celtics’ practice facility and spending extended time with Mazzulla and his players.
Jaylen Brown said Thibodeau didn’t just watch practice; he rolled up his sleeves and broke down film from last spring’s playoff matchup, where the Knicks eliminated the Celtics in six games.
“I think that was awesome having Thibs,” Brown told reporters. “Obviously, 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.”
Brown added that Thibodeau dissected film with him, Jayson Tatum, and Mazzulla, offering insight into how New York successfully defended Boston in key moments of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“From a team perspective and from a top-down perspective — what he wanted to do with me and Jayson, what he wanted to do when the ball was in my hands — it allows you to grow if you’re humble enough to listen,” Brown added.
Mutual Respect Between Coaches
Mazzulla, who has often credited the Celtics’ 2008 championship staff as a model for his coaching philosophy, welcomed Thibodeau’s visit.
“He won a championship here — just having him around makes me better, makes our organization better,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a lot of respect for him.”
Thibodeau served as Doc Rivers’ top assistant and defensive coordinator when Boston’s “Big Three” — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — captured the 2008 title. His return marked an unexpected reunion with an organization that once launched his head-coaching career.
Celtics Staying Focused on Mazzulla’s Leadership
While the Knicks’ interest reportedly went nowhere, it reinforced Mazzulla’s reputation as one of the NBA’s fastest-rising coaches. Boston rewarded him with a multi-year extension in August after a 62-win season and the franchise’s 18th championship banner.
Mazzulla now turns his focus to guiding the Celtics to what is expected to be a challenging year without Tatum (Achilles) and veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, who were traded in the offseason.
When the Celtics extended Mazulla, team president Brad Stevens said in a statement that the 37-year-old coach “understands the job and has a passion for the Celtics that is only rivaled by our most die-hard fans.”
“He’s worked hard and accomplished amazing things in his first three years as a head coach — including averaging over 60 wins per season and winning the 2024 NBA Championship,” Stevens added. “Joe is a gifted leader who brings a consistent commitment to learning, improving, and maximizing each day we get to compete for the Boston Celtics.”
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