On 8 December 2023, when Mitchell Robinson got injured and needed surgery, he ended up missing 50 games. But the 25-year-old star’s lengthy absence from the Knicks seems like it will end soon. It however proved the other way round. 

The New York Knicks center played Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors after missing substantial games due to an ankle injury. In 12 minutes of action, Robinson scored eight points to help the Knicks to a 145-101 win despite fans being shocked to see him limp a little. 

How was Mitchell Robinson’s first game after his long return? 

Isaiah Hartenstein is still the primary center for the Knicks, but Robinson came off the bench to fill in for him. In 12 minutes of action, Robinson scored eight points on 3-of-3 shooting, grabbed two rebounds, and blocked two shots in the defeat of Toronto. Even more astonishingly, he scored his first block of the game inside the first minute of checking in, which is rather remarkable. 

While he works his way back into the starting lineup for the Knicks, Robinson is now limited to playing time. Because of Hartenstein’s minute limitations, Thibodeau is using an unorthodox rotation with all three centers. For instance, Hartenstein started the game for Toronto, but Mitchell Robinson came off the bench to replace him five minutes before halftime. Hartenstein then returned for a second appearance with just over a minute left in the second quarter. Not to mention, Precious Achiuwa came in as a substitute to end the first half.

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Thibs’ strategy paid off, as the Knicks shredded the Raptors to dust. He could use this rotation till guys like Robinson find their form again.

Moving on, Knick’s writer, Steve Popper, posted over X regarding the recent finishing out of the fourth quarter with a limping performance of Robinson. As you can see here:

Robinson is also no stranger to playing in the second unit, although the last time he did so for an extended period of games was in November of 2021, long before the Knicks made the roster moves that would shape the team’s current balance. Additionally, he said clearly in an Instagram post that he had nothing problem remaining on the bench. “I’ll rather come off the bench maybe I can show more?” he stated.

What happened to Robinson?

Robinson got a fracture in his left ankle, according to the Knicks. It happened on Friday, December 8, during New York’s defeat to Boston. Robinson continued to try to play through the injury in the second half until finally leaving the game. 

It was clear that Robinson was suffering from a medical condition throughout the third quarter. After a clumsy exit, the 7-footer disappeared. In 19 minutes played, he scored two rebounds, eight points, and two blocks.

Yet now, Robinson will not be absent for the rest of the 2023-24 season, despite the fact that there have been contradicting stories and pronouncements about his absence.

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