The latest New York Knicks injury update will keep Mitchell Robinson out until the new year. The six-year center is recovering from duo-ankle surgery stemming from last season’s problems. The team will move ahead without their stalwart center but hopes their acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns and depth players will temporarily help fill the void.
New York Knicks Center Mitchell Robison Out Until January
Knicks Injury Update Per Shams Charania
ESPN’s newest senior NBA insider, Shams Charania, has reported a recent update on Knicks veteran center Mitchell Robinson involving a lengthy stay away from the court. Robinson is rehabbing two ankle surgeries within the last year and is not expected back until the new year. The Knicks are taking a careful approach to Robinson’s recovery and return to play, something that Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau looks forward to.
Charania guest appeared with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take to break the news and responded to Smith’s request for a breakdown regarding his Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns.
“… I’m told he [Robinson] will be out the remainder of this calendar year, 2024…he is aiming to make his return [in January], he had two ankle surgeries last season, it is imperative for the Knicks and Mitchell Robinson for him to come back in peak form and really take his time from these injuries. They’re hopeful he’s gonna be back, and Tom Thibodeau loves Mitchell Robinson defensively. Having him at the five, Karl-Anthony Towns at the four is something you should be happy about.”
Much to Stephen A’s anguish and distress, the Knicks will be forced to go without their key center for the time being. Having Towns, though, means their center position won’t be completely vacant. The Knicks’ other center on the roster is Jericho Sims. Precious Achuiwa, listed as a power forward, can certainly play center minutes if called upon. However, getting Robinson back in January will certainly bring greater strength and confidence in the paint as the Knicks make their playoff run.
Mitchell Robinson’s Pesky Injury Proneness
There is no doubt that Robinson is a quality center and an excellent defensive presence when healthy. Thibodeau has often praised his center for his looming paint presence and ability to stand up to the league’s best centers. The catch is that Robinson has been plagued by ailments going back to 2018-19, his first NBA season.
He missed 13 games due to an ankle injury that year. In the 2020-21 season, he missed 14 games with a fractured right hand. He ended up missing the final 26 games of that season (including playoffs) because of surgery to that hand. In 2022, Robinson was out for eight games with a left knee issue. Later that season, in January, he sprained his thumb, resulting in 14 games missed. Since December of last year, he has missed a total of 58 games for ankle reasons. Again, that included playoff rounds against Philadelphia and Indiana. He endured other minor ailments amidst those major ones as well.
It should come as no surprise that the Knicks won’t be rushing Robinson back on this one. According to the team, his recovery is going well. However, caution and sensitivity are of high importance. Robinson’s impact in the playoffs will play a huge part for the Knicks, and we saw some of that impact already last year. Only this year, he’ll be paired with Towns instead of Isaiah Hartenstein.
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