Kurt Thomas

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Thomas played seven seasons with the New York Knicks from 1999 to 2005, during which the team went to the playoffs four times, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (1999 and 2000) and one trip to the NBA Finals (1999). He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks alongside Sasha Danilović and Martin Müürsepp for Jamal Mashburn.

In Their Own Story

In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, Thomas proved his clutch value despite a first-round series loss to the Toronto Raptors. Starting all five games of that 2-3 defeat, he averaged 14.4 points and 11.2 rebounds, showcasing his ability to dominate the glass against elite competition. His individual scoring prowess peaked later in his Knicks tenure; on March 17, 2002, he scored a career-high 33 points, a feat he matched again on November 8, 2002. These moments highlighted the consistency of a player who had previously led the NCAA Division I in both scoring and rebounding during his 1994-95 senior season at TCU, becoming only the third player in history to achieve that double.

Reader's Guide

Thomas was known for his tough defense and hard-nosed playing style. He led the NCAA Division I in scoring and rebounding in the 1994–95 season with 28.9 PPG and 14.6 RPG, becoming only the third player in history to accomplish this feat.

Did You Know?

• Thomas scored a career high 33 points on March 17, 2002 and again on November 8, 2002.
• In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, Thomas averaged 14.4 points and 11.2 rebounds while starting all five games in a first round series loss against the Toronto Raptors.
• Thomas was traded from the Miami Heat to the Dallas Mavericks, not from Dallas.