Josh Hart goes to bat for Knicks to give Tom Thibodeau a contract extension

The New York Knicks wrapped up an injury-plagued season in tough fashion on Sunday afternoon. They lost Game 7 of their second-round NBA playoff matchup against the Indiana Pacers, falling one game shy of the Eastern Conference Finals.

But while the Knicks saw an injured Josh Hart and OG Anunoby suit up, along with star Jalen Brunson breaking his hand in Game 7, it’s hard to discredit their strong season. In turn, the chatter around a potential contract extension for head coach Tom Thibodeau has ramped up, and Hart spoke out after Game 7 to show his support, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Post detailed.

“Obviously I’m not too up to speed on what it was before [Thibodeau] was here, but he’s been Coach of the Year [in 2021], got this team to the playoffs, got this team to the second round, and, barring injuries, could have gone further,” Hart said, per the Post. “So I think you’re seeing the foundation that he’s built, but we know getting to be a championship team is not flipping a switch and one season you just get there.

“We know you’ve got to continue to build, and that’s something that he’s done, something he built the foundation for, and it gives this city and this franchise hope moving forward.”

It’s a strong endorsement from Hart, who was a constant glue guy for the Knicks throughout the season and into the playoffs. Over 13 postseason games, Hart averaged 42.2 minutes per game along with 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

The Knicks are primed to return in 2024-25 equipped with the talent to make noise again in the Eastern Conference, and it’ll likely be with Thibodeau under a new contract at the helm.