The Knicks are closing in on their next head coach — and it looks like Mike Brown is taking the lead.

The Knicks are closing in on their next head coach — and it looks like Mike Brown is taking the lead.

After parting ways with Tom Thibodeau, the front office has narrowed its search down to a few key names. Brown — who’s coached the Cavaliers, Lakers, and most recently the Kings — has been called back for a second round of interviews, signaling that he’s seriously in contention .

Alongside Brown, assistants James Borrego (formerly with the Hornets) and Micah Nori (from the Timberwolves) are also being considered for follow-up interviews .

Meanwhile, the Knicks reached out to Hall of Famer Dawn Staley — the legendary South Carolina coach — and initially impressed in discussions . But despite the positive first impressions, the organization has since decided not to include her as a finalist for the role .

So, two big takeaways:

1. Mike Brown is front and center — with a second interview lined up, his chances are looking strong.

2. Dawn Staley had a surprising early spot in the process but didn’t make the final cut — though she definitely turned heads with how she handled herself.

Bottom line? The Knicks are zeroing in on candidates with proven NBA experience, but Staley’s inclusion—albeit brief—was a noteworthy moment in a typically conservative coaching search.

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