ATLANTA — The Knicks made it via the waters with Mitchell Robinson sidelined for eight video games in November, however they are going to now be with out their beginning and defensive anchor place for a fair longer time period.
Robinson underwent surgical procedure Thursday on the Hospital for Particular Surgical procedure after assessments revealed he was unwell He suffered a damaged proper thumb in Shedding Wednesday’s home to the Wizards. The group stated the 7-foot heart can be reassessed in three weeks, however he’ll possible be out for some time longer, beginning with Friday’s highway recreation towards the Hawks.
The Knicks went 4-4 within the eight video games Robinson missed with a sprained knee from November 5–18, with backup heart Isaiah Hartenstein making six begins in that stretch and sophomore huge man Jericho Sims beginning the opposite two video games. Hartenstein acquired one further begin within the recreation, and Robinson returned to the rotation to play 17 minutes off the bench on November 20 in a highway loss to the Suns.
That pair will possible break up time in Robinson’s absence, and Tom Thibodeau stated Julius Randle may additionally play a couple of minutes within the heart, with the coach recruiting a smaller squad late in Wednesday’s loss.
“He is simply the subsequent man. I just like the depth we’ve within the heart,” Thibodeau stated after the sport. “We have got three males who’re greater than succesful.”
Robinson, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension final summer season, then made 28 consecutive begins, averaging 7.9 factors, 10.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocked photographs in 29.4 minutes per recreation. He additionally has the most effective internet ranking amongst Knicks regulars – outscoring opponents by 8.2 factors per 100 possessions when on the sphere, whereas he’s bested by opposing groups by 1.1 factors per 100 possessions when off the sphere.
“It is an enormous affect,” base guard Jalen Bronson stated Wednesday night time. “Mitch is a presence on the backside of the paint. Clearly, we wish him to get better quick and wholesome. However we wish him to be 100%.”
Robinson, 24, left Wednesday’s recreation within the first quarter and was dominated out for the rest of the sport.
“Mitch is absolutely the anchor of our protection. He is popping out, he is an adjustment, for positive,” stated RJ Barrett. “With every part, the rebounds, the blocked photographs, additionally the issue that folks do not need to paint as a lot towards him. You’re [miss] He has nice time, all of the offensive rebounds he will get. He is an enormous a part of our group.”
And will probably be tough for the Knicks (25-21) to switch him within the second spherical earlier if he’s out lengthy, irrespective of how Thibodeau reconfigures starter and second-unit ahead station within the meantime.
Robinson, who missed time with a damaged proper hand throughout the 2020-21 season, ranks second within the NBA with 4.3 offensive rebounds per recreation, behind solely Grizzlies’ Stephen Adams (5.0), and fifth in blocked photographs with a 1.8 common. per recreation.
“You miss who he’s,” stated Thibodeau. “I need to assume and see extra, and give it some thought by way of what works finest for each teams, what makes it work higher. Each guys are going forwards and backwards. We’ll get an opportunity to take a look at it extra deeply and decide.”
Relying on Robinson’s predictions, the Knicks may now be available in the market for extra assist prematurely of the February 9 buying and selling deadline. One potential purpose may embody a bid to reclaim longtime favourite Thibodeau’s Gibson crown, who earns $2.9 million this season with the Wizards. The 14-year-old veteran — who additionally performed for Thibodeau in Chicago and Minnesota — scored 9 minutes for Washington off the bench in Wednesday’s recreation on the Garden.