Patrick Ewing is leaving the New York Knicks once again… this time to return to the sideline with the Washington Wizards.
SNY’s Ian Begley first reported that Ewing was in talks with Washington to join Brian Keefe’s coaching staff. ESPN’s Shams Charania later confirmed that Ewing had agreed to become a Wizards assistant coach.
As Charania wrote in another of his never-not-entertaining stories, Washington values Ewing’s “presence and legendary stature,” as well as his “ability to communicate” with veteran
stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young and the AJ Dybantsa-led group of neophyte Wiz.
For Knicks fans, the move comes shortly after Ewing wrapped up his second season back with the franchise as an advisor and basketball ambassador. Ewing has been around the team during the past two years, including joining them both at home and on the road during their championship run and later at the Canyon of Heroes for the title parade, with the Knicks giving one of their GOATs what he always deserved.
When the Knicks announced his return in October 2024, Ewing made clear what the organization still meant to him.
“As I said the day my number 33 jersey lifted into the rafters at MSG, I will always be a Knick, and I will always be a New Yorker,” Ewing said then.
New York infamously drafted Ewing No. 1 overall in the 1985 NBA Draft after his Georgetown career, and three decades later, he remains the Knicks’ all-time leader in games played (1,039), points (23,665), rebounds (10,759), field goals made (9,260), steals (1,061), and blocks (2,758) in a full sweep of the classic statline.
Back to the actual news, the Wizards’ job will bring Ewing back to another familiar place for the Big Fella, as that’s where his NBA coaching career began. Washington hired Ewing shortly after he retired from the NBA in 2001, with Pat becoming an assistant for Michael Jordan of all people during the 2002-03 season before later working with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets.
Steve Clifford is also joining Washington as a coaching advisor, according to ESPN. Clifford coached alongside Ewing in Orlando from 2007-12, then hired him to his staff in Charlotte from 2013-17.
Ewing later returned to Georgetown as head coach from 2017-23, compiling a 75-109 record and leading the Hoyas to the 2021 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big East Tournament.
And now, after watching the Knicks finally win the goddam title, you bet Ewing has also earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants. Shout-out, Big Pat!
