Mike Brown proves Knicks made right choice moving on from Tom Thibodeau in win over Celtics

Mike Brown proves Knicks made right choice moving on from Tom Thibodeau in win over Celtics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Knicks won their 52nd game of the 2025-26 season on Thursday night, defeating the Boston Celtics 112-106 at Madison Square Garden.

It was a big night for head coach Mike Brown, who not only broke franchise legend Pat Riley's record for most wins in his first season as head coach in New York, but also surpassed 51 wins, a mark set by his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau.

There were concerns that moving on from the Knicks' established coach, Thibodeau, would result in New York taking a step back. At least in regular-season play, it seems like President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose made the right choice in finding a new head coach.

Mike Brown surpasses Tom Thibodeau's largest win total as Knicks head coach

Before Brown recorded the record-breaking win, the Knicks' coach was asked pregame if he was aware of the mark he could set heading into the home tilt against Boston.

"Somebody brought that up or something close to the last game, maybe...But I didn't know...I probably saw it some ways, but it didn't register that they had you know 51 wins or you know whatever...I'm trying to just get the best possible seed we can get going into the playoffs," Brown told reporters.

"Thibs is a great, great coach. I'm not trying to be him, I'm not trying to replace him, I'm just trying to do the best that I can do with this team."

The Knicks have a chance to improve their record even further on Friday night and Sunday evening, with two games remaining against the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets.

If Mike Brown wants to continue etching his name in the Knicks history books, he can finish the regular season strong and push into even rarer air with a deep push into the NBA playoffs.

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• Knicks rookie Mohamed Diawara's record-breaking performance
• Jalen Brunson clarifies 'do right by me' comments
• Jalen Brunson offers hilarious response when asked about Jose Alvarado