Josh Hart Fully Supports Knicks Coach

It’ll take more than a missed timeout to shake Josh Hart’s loyalty to New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Ahead of a crucial Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Hart came to Thibodeau’s defense following renewed criticism of the coach’s late-game decisions. “He’s used to it, bullseye on his back for that,” Hart told Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “He’s had a bullseye on his back the whole season for minutes, rotations, all kinds of stuff. That’s our coach. We’re going to back him 100 percent.”

Hart was involved in the recent Game 5 controversy, where both he and Jalen Brunson were sidelined with injuries during the final moments of a tight 106-103 loss. Though the Knicks had a timeout remaining, Thibodeau opted not to use it—a decision he later labeled a “coach’s decision.” The move drew criticism and sparked speculation about Thibodeau’s job security. But Hart made it clear he still believes in Thibodeau’s leadership.

“Everyone is on this team because we have faith and trust in them, and I think that’s a byproduct of [Thibodeau’s] supervision,” Hart added. “We got stops. We got good looks. What more do you want besides getting stops and getting good looks for good players? I don’t know.”

Support for Thibodeau has been consistent among Knicks players this postseason. Despite scrutiny over his rotation choices and workload management, Thibodeau’s top players have rallied behind him. “Individually, he’s meant a lot to my career,” Brunson said before the playoffs. “He’s done a lot for my career. So I’m always looking to support him. Always.”