June 2025

There were 1,837 posts published in June 2025 (this is page 165 of 184).

Josh Hart, former players react to Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau firing: ‘Forever grateful’

The Knicks’ firing of coach Tom Thibodeau shook the basketball world on Tuesday, and some current and former players joined the conversation around the fourth-winningest coach’s ouster.

The most notable current player reaction came from Josh Hart. Hart joined Thibodeau’s crew when the Knicks traded for the combo guard/forward in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Once the Thibodeau news was out, Hart took to social media to post a simple message for his coach: “Forever grateful. Thank you.”

Under Thibs, Hart had his best seasons as a professional player. In his two-plus seasons in New York, Hart averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. This past season saw Hart break the Knicks franchise record for triple-doubles, and he even recorded the first Knicks postseason triple-double in more than 50 years.

While other current Knicks have yet to comment on the move, there were plenty of other reactions from around the basketball world. Ben Stiller, award-winning actor and die-hard Knicks fan, gave Thibodeau his flowers for making the Knicks “relevant again.”

“I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back,” he wrote on Tuesday. “I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him.
Thank you COACH THIBS.”

And then we had former Knicks shocked by the news.

Knicks legend Charles Oakley, who played for New York while Thibodeau was an assistant coach, was being interviewed by News10NBC in Rochester when the news dropped.

“I don’t know who is gonna do a better job,” Oakley said. “That’s sad news, I like Thibs.”

After the Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the organization will now have to find a coach who can do a better job.

Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs in five seasons as the Knicks’ head coach.

One former player has thrown their hat into the ring to coach the Knicks. Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, played just one season for the Knicks but has roots in New York, being born in Queensbridge and excelling at the college level for St. John’s en route to being a first-round draft pick in 1999.

Peace broke down his resume and why he believes he’s the right man for the Knicks job. And other former players share their choice to be the next coach of the New York Knicks.

Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas ‘living [his] worst nightmare’ as he starts injury rehab

BOSTON — Triston Casas isn’t happy about having to watch the remainder of the Boston Red Sox’s season following season-ending knee surgery. But he’s ready to attack the rehab from his second major injury in two years head on.

Casas spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since having the procedure last month to repair the ruptured left patellar tendon he injured running to first base after hitting a slow ground ball and then falling awkwardly during Boston’s win over Minnesota on May 2. He was carted off the field and taken to a hospital for testing.

He had surgery two days later.

He was still using crutches Tuesday and said he will be off them soon. He will then head to the Red Sox’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, where he’ll spend most of this summer and the offseason undergoing rehab. The 25-year-old plans to be ready in time for opening day next season.

“I’m living my worst nightmare right now to go through a double-digit recovery that’s months long,” Casas said Tuesday. “But going through it now, I feel like I’m going to be better as a consequence of it. It’s just part of the game. It’s part of running hard down the line. Part of just playing the game how you feel like it should be. I wouldn’t have changed anything about it. It’s just a move that I’ve done a thousand times. … It’s just onward from here, I guess.”

The first baseman batted just .182 with three homers and 11 RBIs prior to the injury, but the biggest void he left is on defense. The Red Sox have explored multiple options to replace him, including initially asking Rafael Devers to learn the position after he was replaced at third by offseason, free-agent acquisition Alex Bregman, and moved to DH.

Since Casas’ injury, Abraham Toro has split time at first along with Romy Gonzalez.

Casas is attacking this latest injury setback just a year removed from missing a large portion of last season with torn cartilage in his rib cage.

“I’d rather be out there helping the team win games,” Casas said. “But considering everything that’s happened I’m in a good headspace. Just focused on making a healthy comeback and progressing every day in whatever fashion it is and trying to fill my time and get better any way that I can.”

He said the recovery timeline he was given has varied in length, but hasn’t been anything over a year.

“As of right now, our goal is opening day next year,” Casas said. “So, I’m going to take it slow. Going to spend the winter in Fort Myers rehabbing and until then just try to stay in a positive mindset. I know there’s a lot of healing that’s done outside of the training table. So I think I’m trying to take it one day at a time, be positive and maintain a good headspace is going to be important as well.”

Bryce Harper homers in first at-bat in return to Phillies’ lineup after missing five games

TORONTO — With Bryce Harper back in the lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies got off to a booming start against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Harper hit one of two Philadelphia home runs in a six-run first inning off right-hander Bowden Francis in Tuesday’s series opener in Toronto.

Harper was back in action after missing five games with a bruised right elbow.

The Phillies went 1-4 without Harper and fell out of first place in the NL East.

Harper followed a two-run home run by Trea Turner with a 394-foot blast, with both homers landing in Philadelphia’s right field bullpen.

It was Harper’s first at-bat since he was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning of a game last week. The home run was his ninth of the season.

Harper’s elbow, which underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2022 World Series, remains a sensitive area. In light of the injury, Harper wore a protective guard on his right elbow Tuesday.

Alec Bohm had shifted from third base to first base to replace Harper. Edmundo Sosa had taken over at third. Bohm was back at third base against the Blue Jays. He singled and scored in the first.

Knicks firing head coach Tom Thibodeau

The Knicks‘ Tom Thibodeau era has come to an end.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reports that the Knicks are firing Thibodeau after five seasons as the team’s head coach.

Sources tell Begley that Thibodeau will not have a role in the Knicks’ front office and will be owed north of $30 million on his extension.

Begley also reports that the Knicks conducted meetings with select players, Thibodeau, and some of his staff this week to assess the season. Knicks owner James Dolan was at the meetings. The ultimate decision on Thibodeau, though, was made by Rose and supported by Dolan.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” Rose said in a statement released by the team. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Working with Rose, Thibodeau led the Knicks to a period of sustained regular season success that had eluded the organization, making the playoffs in four of his five seasons. But even with a talented roster that features Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and other key pieces, the Knicks couldn’t get over the hump in the playoffs, falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals as questions arose about Thibodeau’s rotation and substitutions.

Overall, Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs as the Knicks’ head coach.

Begley previously reported that Thibodeau had been on shaky ground in the past and survived, with team president Leon Rose making the decision to stick with Thibodeau amid past uncertainty. 

The Knicks now begin a search for the 32nd head coach in franchise history.

Stephen A. Smith rips Knicks president Leon Rose for ‘weak-a** statement’ after firing coach Tom Thibodeau

Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back after the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday.

The ESPN commentator ripped Knicks president Leon Rose for acting like a “coward” and putting out a “weak-ass statement” after parting with the coach that led them to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000.

“To be quite honest with you, I think we all as New Yorkers should find Leon Rose’s statement offensive,” Smith said on ESPN. “Get the hell in front of a microphone and a camera and answer questions. Stop being a coward.”

The Knicks announced on Tuesday that they had fired Thibodeau less than a week after the franchise fell to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the conference finals. Thibodeau led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the franchise, and is coming off back-to-back 50-win seasons.

Perhaps most importantly, Thibodeau brought the Knicks back to prominence in the NBA. The team hadn’t been to the playoffs in seven years before he landed in Manhattan.

Rose said in his statement that the decision to fire Thibodeau was what was “best for our organization.”

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said, in part. “This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.”

While Smith’s comments came in the immediate aftermath of the decision, his issue is that Rose very rarely speaks to reporters about the moves he’s making with the franchise.

“This is the problem with the arrogance of the New York Knicks, OK? They deserve credit for what they have achieved,” Smith said. “I applaud them for lifting us from basketball purgatory into relevance … but in the same breath when you make the potpourri of decisions that you have made, can you have the decency to stand before the media and answer the questions? … That statement is as weak as it gets.”

Smith isn’t alone in his criticism, either. Plenty of others in the Knicks world had similar thoughts.

The Knicks will now start their search for a new head coach. While there are plenty of questions about the Knicks’ moves now, and those aren’t going away anytime soon, Smith doesn’t expect anything to change.

Rose’s statement, which is likely all he’s going to get, wasn’t good enough.

“I don’t care about that damn statement,” Smith said. “I want to see Leon Rose stand before the camera and justify firing a man that just took you within two games of a berth to the NBA finals right after you decided to trade five picks for a guy that never even made an All-Star … Stand before the media and answer them damn questions.”

Stephen A. Smith rips Knicks president Leon Rose for ‘weak-a** statement’ after firing coach Tom Thibodeau

Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back after the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday.

The ESPN commentator ripped Knicks president Leon Rose for acting like a “coward” and putting out a “weak-ass statement” after parting with the coach that led them to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000.

“To be quite honest with you, I think we all as New Yorkers should find Leon Rose’s statement offensive,” Smith said on ESPN. “Get the hell in front of a microphone and a camera and answer questions. Stop being a coward.”

The Knicks announced on Tuesday that they had fired Thibodeau less than a week after the franchise fell to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the conference finals. Thibodeau led the Knicks to the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the franchise, and is coming off back-to-back 50-win seasons.

Perhaps most importantly, Thibodeau brought the Knicks back to prominence in the NBA. The team hadn’t been to the playoffs in seven years before he landed in Manhattan.

Rose said in his statement that the decision to fire Thibodeau was what was “best for our organization.”

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said, in part. “This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction.”

While Smith’s comments came in the immediate aftermath of the decision, his issue is that Rose very rarely speaks to reporters about the moves he’s making with the franchise.

“This is the problem with the arrogance of the New York Knicks, OK? They deserve credit for what they have achieved,” Smith said. “I applaud them for lifting us from basketball purgatory into relevance … but in the same breath when you make the potpourri of decisions that you have made, can you have the decency to stand before the media and answer the questions? … That statement is as weak as it gets.”

Smith isn’t alone in his criticism, either. Plenty of others in the Knicks world had similar thoughts.

The Knicks will now start their search for a new head coach. While there are plenty of questions about the Knicks’ moves now, and those aren’t going away anytime soon, Smith doesn’t expect anything to change.

Rose’s statement, which is likely all he’s going to get, wasn’t good enough.

“I don’t care about that damn statement,” Smith said. “I want to see Leon Rose stand before the camera and justify firing a man that just took you within two games of a berth to the NBA finals right after you decided to trade five picks for a guy that never even made an All-Star … Stand before the media and answer them damn questions.”

Mookie Betts returns to Dodgers lineup with broken toe still on the mend

Mookie Betts is back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup Tuesday, after sitting out four games with a fractured toe. He was slotted into his usual 2-hole and shortstop for the Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets.

Betts broke his toe last Wednesday, reportedly by banging it against a wall while trying to make his way to the bathroom in the dark. While still dealing with the fracture, the injury is minor enough that he’s able to play less than a week later, as he said last week the main issue is pain management.

While he missed more than his predicted two games, he successfully avoided the 10-day injured list.

Cameras caught Betts trying out some running with his bad toe Monday.

The Dodgers went 2-2 in their games without Betts, taking two out of three against the New York Yankees — one win via comeback, the other via unholy beatdown — before losing their series opener to the New York Mets on Tuesday in extra innings.

Mookie Betts will be playing through the pain for a while. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Diamond Images via Getty Images

Betts is in his second season attempting to stick as the Dodgers’ full-time shortstop. Last season saw him struggle with errors before missing nearly two months with a fractured hand and reverting to right field upon his return. This season has been going better, with several advanced metrics rating him as a plus at one of baseball’s more difficult positions.

That defensive value has helped offset a step back from Betts offensively this season. All three numbers of his .254/.338/.405 slashline represent career lows, and his batted ball data indicates that’s not just a run of bad luck.

Mookie Betts returns to Dodgers lineup with broken toe still on the mend

Mookie Betts is back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup Tuesday, after sitting out four games with a fractured toe. He was slotted into his usual 2-hole and shortstop for the Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets.

Betts broke his toe last Wednesday, reportedly by banging it against a wall while trying to make his way to the bathroom in the dark. While still dealing with the fracture, the injury is minor enough that he’s able to play less than a week later, as he said last week the main issue is pain management.

While he missed more than his predicted two games, he successfully avoided the 10-day injured list.

Cameras caught Betts trying out some running with his bad toe Monday.

The Dodgers went 2-2 in their games without Betts, taking two out of three against the New York Yankees — one win via comeback, the other via unholy beatdown — before losing their series opener to the New York Mets on Tuesday in extra innings.

Mookie Betts will be playing through the pain for a while. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Diamond Images via Getty Images

Betts is in his second season attempting to stick as the Dodgers’ full-time shortstop. Last season saw him struggle with errors before missing nearly two months with a fractured hand and reverting to right field upon his return. This season has been going better, with several advanced metrics rating him as a plus at one of baseball’s more difficult positions.

That defensive value has helped offset a step back from Betts offensively this season. All three numbers of his .254/.338/.405 slashline represent career lows, and his batted ball data indicates that’s not just a run of bad luck.