The New York Knicks will play their first NBA Finals game since 1999 on Wednesday night, and backup center Mitchell Robinson is one of the biggest reasons why. The 7-foot, 240-pounder is not only of the better rim-protectors and rebounders in the sport, but he had his healthiest season since 2022-23 this year.
Robinson finished second in the NBA with 4.2 offensive rebounds per game in the regular season despite averaging only 19.6 minutes, while Portland Trail Blazers big man Donovan Clingan led with 4.5 over 27.2 minutes. The 28-year-old also led New York's main rotation players with a 44.2 defended field goal percentage, per NBA Advanced Stats.
Luckily for the Knicks, Robinson (hand) is expected to play in Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran fully participated in practice on Tuesday after having surgery on his right hand.
New York head coach Mike Brown said that Robinson did not injure the hand during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals or during a practice, per SNY's Ian Begley. The Knicks didn't provide any further details on how the Florida native got hurt.
While having Robinson in the lineup will help them defend Victor Wembanyama and company, New York must evaluate how effective he will be in his current state.
Knicks Can't Waste Minutes
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Although Robinson is one of New York's most important role players, there's no telling if he'll be as effective as he usually is on Wednesday. It won't be easy for him to match his typical level on the sport's biggest stage while recovering from hand surgery.
On the bright side, Robinson doesn't need a fully healthy hand to play his role. A broken hand would be devastating for a shooter, but the 2018 second-round pick is strictly an inside player who finishes plays on offense in addition to his defensive and rebounding help.
Even having a compromised Robinson for a few minutes could help the Knicks slow down Wembanyama, who is averaging 23.2 points per game on 51% shooting (37% 3-point) over 32.5 minutes in the playoffs. While the 7-foot-4, 235-pounder is impossible to stop, New York forward OG Anunoby as well as big man Karl-Anthony Towns and Robinson could all help prevent him from taking over. But if the latter player doesn't perform to his standard after his first few minutes, Brown must sit him immediately.
Wednesday's game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC in San Antonio's Frost Bank Center. Game 2 will be on Friday at the same time and place.
