Mitchell Robinson’s not just hooping for the city right now—he’s playing for something bigger. With the Knicks heading into a tough Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers, the big man dropped a heartfelt note that stopped Knicks Twitter. No stats, no flex, just raw emotion and a glimpse into what’s fueling his grind this postseason. The moment wasn’t about the spotlight. It was about someone who helped him get there.

Dawn Stockton, the late wife of Robinson’s high school coach, Butch Stockton, passed away in September 2023 after a battle with metastatic cancer. But long before that, she was already family. Mitchell Robinson was a shy teenager at Chalmette High in Louisiana. Butch became his mentor. Dawn stepped in as a mother figure. She welcomed him with open arms, offering warmth and love. She helped shape the man he is today.

“As we make history in this playoff push. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. I know you’re up there watching me on the big stage defending the city of NEW YORK like you told me in high school, ‘give ’em hell’. Mama, thank you for everything, watching over me, getting me healthy to pursue this dream I’ve been chasing my whole life. I love and miss you.”

 Mitchell Robinson to Dawn Stockton, wife of his high school coach Butch Stockton. Dawn passed away before last season: pic.twitter.com/N9JcEt0CMx

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 18, 2025

That message, posted just before tip-off, wasn’t just emotional. It’s personal. It was Mitchell Robinson’s way bringing Dawn with him into the playoffs, letting her legacy live through every round, every rotation, every moment on that floor.

That connection only grew stronger over the years. The bond between Robinson and the Stocktons didn’t fade after high school. When he was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2018, they celebrated like proud parents. When Dawn fell ill, Robinson visited her in the hospital as often as possible. And when she passed, he stood beside Butch at the funeral—not as a former player, but as family.

That loss didn’t just stay off the court—it’s been driving Robinson every step of the way. While the playoffs are about matchups and momentum, for him, it’s also personal. He’s not just suiting up for the Knicks. He’s carrying Dawn’s memory into every game, channeling that pain into purpose, and turning grief into grit.

Mitchell Robinson’s Return Transforms Knicks’ Playoff Profile

The New York Knicks enter the Eastern Conference Finals with momentum and grit. Mitchell Robinson is right in the middle of it. After missing most of the regular season with an injury, he’s returned as a defensive anchor and game-changer. In the decisive Game 6 against Boston, his impact was loud. In just 13.5 minutes, the Knicks outscored the Celtics by 20 with him on the floor. His rotations and rebounding helped shut down Boston’s offense. Across the series, New York was 30 points per 100 possessions better when Robinson played.

The Knicks’ success starts with the grind—defense, rebounding, and physicality. They average 43 rebounds per game in the playoffs, including 12 on the offensive glass. That ranks second overall and first among active teams. Their 17.3 second-chance points per game tell the story. Robinson’s size and energy fuel that edge. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called New York’s rebounding “tenacious” and admitted it’s a major concern for Indiana.

Offensively, the Knicks have leaned on depth. In their Game 6 rout of Boston, four players—Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl Anthony Towns—scored over 20 points. That balance makes them dangerous. Adding Towns and Bridges in the offseason changed the ceiling. Robinson’s return has helped them forget the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein.

In Game 1 against Indiana, the Knicks stuck to their bruising style. Robinson threw down a highlight alley-oop and protected the rim all night. He only played one game in last year’s Pacers series. This time, he’s a major piece in the rematch.

As the series plays out, Robinson’s emotional fuel—driven by loss and loyalty—mirrors the team’s mindset. This isn’t just basketball. It’s personal. The Knicks are chasing something bigger, with grit, heart, and the weight of a city on their backs. If they win the rebounding battle and Robinson owns the paint, New York could return to the Finals for the first time in 20 years.