Knicks center Mitchell Robinson cannot catch a break from the injury bug.
Robinson had been dealing with an ankle issue for the majority of the season but finally got back on the court ahead of the NBA Playoffs.
He played in five of New York’s six games against the 76ers in the first round, missing one contest due to “ankle injury management.” Robinson played just 12 minutes for the Knicks in Game 1 against the Pacers, limited by his ailment.
On Tuesday, New York delivered a tough update on his availability moving forward.
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Robinson has been diagnosed with a “stress injury to his left ankle,” per the Knicks.
The 26-year-old has been hampered by his left ankle all season. In December, he received surgery to repair a stress fracture in the same ankle, which caused him to miss 50 games.
Despite skepticism over whether Robinson would return at all this season, he got back on the floor in late March. Robinson played in 10 of the Knicks’ final 11 games of the regular season and was ready to go for the playoffs.
He played in five of the six games against the 76ers in the first round, missing one game due to injury management.
Robinson appears to have reaggravated his injury after playing 12 minutes in Game 1 against the Pacers, and New York will prepare to be without him for the remainder of the postseason.
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Robinson will be re-evaluated in “6-8 weeks,” the Knicks announced Tuesday, almost certainly keeping him out out for the remainder of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The NBA Finals are set to begin on June 6.
New York will miss Robinson’s physical defensive presence off the bench. Even though he was only averaging 2.8 points per game in the playoffs, he also added 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals.
He served as Isaiah Hartenstein’s primary backup, giving the Knicks some relief if the big man got into foul trouble.
Now, that responsibility will likely fall on Precious Achiuwa’s shoulders. Achiuwa was productive for New York after being acquired at the trade deadline, filling a bigger role at various points when Robinson and Hartenstein were out with injuries.
*If necessary
