Knicks Coaching Change: Billy Donovan Possibly Next in Line If Mike Brown Leaves

The New York Knicks have been getting calls from their fan base about a possible head coaching change after a tumultuous start to the NBA playoffs.

The Mike Brown-mentored squad went down 2-1 in their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks before tying the series in Game 4 with a 114-98 win. 

According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, the Knicks could be looking at Billy Donovan, who left the Chicago Bulls last week, as the squad’s next head coach if they are to let go Mike Brown after the NBA playoffs. 

In the report, Mannix said that the Knicks will “monitor the status” of Donovan. 

This mirrored Shams Charania’s earlier report that Donovan has been getting interest from the Knicks’ organization. 

The Knicks lost back-to-back one-point games to the Hawks in Games 2 and 3, causing a stir among the team’s fan base about Brown’s future with the team. 

The 2025-2026 NBA season is Brown’s first with the Knicks after the New York franchise fired Tom Thibodeau, who steered the team to the Western Conference Finals last year. 

Aside from the Knicks, Donovan has also been linked to the Orlando Magic, whose head coach Jamahl Mosley has long been rumored to be on his way out. 

Donovan led the Bulls to 31 wins this season, missing the playoffs once more. His time with the Bulls saw him put up a 226-256 record in six seasons in Chicago. 

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Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Mike Brown

Stephen A. Smith led the calls for a Knicks coaching change after the team’s Game 3 loss to the Hawks. 

Stephen A. warned that Brown could be on his way out if the Knicks fall to an upset against the Hawks in the playoffs. 

“Let me tell you something right now. Change is coming to New York City. There’s going to be another head coach in New York City if they lose this series,” he said. 

He added that the Knicks could also see some players exit the team if they lose the first-round series. 

“Several players are going to be gone from New York City if you all lose this game,” Stephen A. said. “Ya’ll go ahead and lose this game. Ya’ll go ahead and lose this series, New York Knicks. A bunch of sorry asses right now. I’m so sick of what I’m seeing right now. I’m losing my damn mind. There have been six games against the Atlanta Hawks this year. Four have come down to one possession. They have all the confidence in the world right now.”

The Knicks have struggled to contain the Hawks’ attacks throughout the series, allowing the likes of CJ McCollum, Jalen Johnson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to thrive in the offensive end. 

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Knicks-Hawks Series Down to a Best-of-Three

The Knicks-Hawks Round 1 now stands at a best-of-three series after tightly-contested four games, which saw numerous game-winners and clutch shots. 

Considering the pressure on the Knicks’ franchise, New York is expected to treat Game 5 as a must-win in their home floor. 

Game 5 is scheduled on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. It is set to start at 8 p.m. Eastern time. 

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