If you saw Mitchell Robinson’s free throw in Game 2 between the Knicks and Celtics, you probably made the same face you do when someone says pineapple belongs on pizza. Let’s not sugarcoat it — that shot missed so badly, it looked like it was aimed at the scoreboard. The internet had a field day, and Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla thought he had a galaxy brain moment by hacking Robinson intentionally. But plot twist: Mitchell Robinson loved it.

“Actually, that makes me feel like I’m a threat,” Robinson said after the game, flashing the kind of energy you’d expect from a dude who just realized he’s living rent-free in the Celtics’ heads. And he wasn’t lying. Despite that tragic free throw — the kind of miss that looked like it got scared of the rim mid-air — Robinson finished with a +19 in a game where all the Knicks starters were in the negative. Yep, all of them. Meanwhile, Robinson’s plus-minus was higher than Celtics fans’ blood pressure in the final two minutes.

Let’s break it down. With 2:42 left in the fourth and Boston clinging to a four-point lead, Joe Mazzulla decided to pull out the ol’ “Hack-a-Mitch” strategy like it was 2008 and Dwight Howard was still in Orlando. The idea? Foul Robinson — a career 52% free-throw shooter — and force him to either make clutch shots or get benched.

The problem is, this ain’t NBA 2K, Joe.

They fouled him twice. The Knicks, now in the bonus, were handed the opportunity to let other guys like Jalen Brunson (82% from the line), Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns — all capable shooters — take over. And boy, did they. Once Robinson got yanked, everything changed.

First came a Towns and one over Al Horford. Then came miscommunications, layups, and oh yeah, Mikal Bridges swooping in with that game-winning tip on Tatum like he was the lovechild of Kawhi Leonard and a heat-seeking missile.

Let’s not ignore the bigger mess here — Boston had a 20-point lead AGAIN. For the second straight game. And they blew it. AGAIN. That’s like booking a vacation, getting to the airport early, and still missing your flight because you got distracted by a Cinnabon.

New York’s comeback wasn’t just gritty — it was orchestrated like an Avengers team-up. Jalen Brunson played the Tony Stark role, clutch as always. Mikal Bridges was straight-up Nick Fury — popping up at the end and changing everything. Josh Hart had 23 points and shot 50% from three like he was playing with a magnet. And Karl-Anthony Towns went full beast mode with a 21-point, 17-rebound double-double.

This was a full team effort, and Mitchell Robinson, despite being yeeted from the court late, was a major part of why the Knicks had the momentum.

Mazzulla’s Postgame Deflection Attempt

Now here’s where it gets extra spicy. When Mazzulla was asked about intentionally fouling Robinson, he pulled out his calculator and gave this gem: “He was a +19, all their starters were in the negative.”

Okay, but… Joe… if your strategy results in you losing the game, it might be time to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Or better yet, ask Siri what “situational awareness” means.

Sure, unclogging the paint theoretically made sense. In practice? It’s like pulling the batteries out of your smoke detector to make the beeping stop — sure, it’s quiet now, but you’re about to get burned.

Here’s the thing — even with his free-throw form looking like he was trying to swat a fly off the backboard, Mitchell Robinson still made the Celtics panic. That’s power. That’s influence. And that’s “rent-free in your game plan” kind of impact. And he knows it.

Robinson’s response to being targeted wasn’t frustration — it was swagger. This man might’ve missed the free throw like it owed him money, but he still left the game as a winner, mentally and on the scoreboard. His defense, rebounding, and screen-setting made life miserable for Boston’s All-Star duo of Tatum and Brown.

Honestly, he might be the spiritual successor to Dennis Rodman — only taller, quieter, and with a better TikTok presence.

The Knicks now head back to Madison Square Garden up 2-0 in the series. Game 3’s going to be rowdy. Celtics fans are panicking, Knicks fans are strutting like they just saw Spider-Man swing through Harlem, and Mitchell Robinson? He’s feeling like Thanos with all the Infinity Stones — one free throw away from perfection.

Mazzulla? He’s probably at home re-watching “Moneyball,” trying to convince himself the numbers still make sense.

One thing’s for sure — the Mitchell Robinson experience is here, and it’s making waves. Whether it’s viral free-throw clips or becoming the X-factor in Boston’s unraveling, he’s turning heads and changing games.

So yeah, go ahead and foul him again. Just don’t be surprised if the Knicks keep walking away with the W.

Now, who’s the real threat?