Mike Brown breaks Knicks record with 52nd win, surpassing Tom Thibodeau

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown sets franchise record for most wins in a season by a first-year coach.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:50am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a basketball game between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, with the players' movements and the energy of the game captured through sharp, overlapping geometric planes in a cubist style.The Knicks' record-breaking season under coach Mike Brown is captured in a cubist, geometric interpretation of the team's hard-fought victory over the Celtics.Boston Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 112-106 on Thursday night, giving head coach Mike Brown his 52nd win of the season and setting a new franchise record for most wins by a first-year Knicks head coach. Brown surpassed the previous record of 51 wins set by his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau.

Why it matters

The Knicks' decision to move on from Thibodeau and hire Brown as the new head coach was met with some skepticism, but Brown's record-breaking season has proven that the team made the right choice. The Knicks are on pace to have one of their best regular seasons in recent memory and have a chance to make a deep playoff run.

The details

Mike Brown was asked about the record before the game against the Celtics, but he downplayed the significance, saying he was just focused on getting the best possible seed for the playoffs. Brown praised Thibodeau, saying he's a "great, great coach" and that he's not trying to replace him, but just do the best he can with the team.

  • The Knicks defeated the Celtics on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • Mike Brown set the Knicks' record for most wins by a first-year head coach, surpassing the previous record of 51 wins set by Tom Thibodeau.

The players

Mike Brown

The current head coach of the New York Knicks, who has led the team to a franchise-record 52 wins in his first season as head coach, surpassing the previous record set by Tom Thibodeau.

Tom Thibodeau

The former head coach of the New York Knicks, who previously held the franchise record for most wins by a first-year head coach with 51 wins.

Leon Rose

The President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks, who made the decision to move on from Thibodeau and hire Mike Brown as the new head coach.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Mike Brown, Head Coach, New York Knicks

What’s next

The Knicks have two more regular season games remaining against the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets, where Mike Brown will have the opportunity to further cement his legacy and lead the team to an even stronger finish before the playoffs begin.

The takeaway

Mike Brown's record-breaking season as the Knicks' head coach has proven that the team made the right decision in moving on from Tom Thibodeau. Brown has led the Knicks to one of their best regular seasons in recent memory, and the team now has a chance to make a deep playoff run under his leadership.