As the Knicks gear up for a playoff run, Mitchell Robinson’s role remains one of the things that could push the team’s hopes of advancing far in the right direction.
Since returning from left ankle surgery in February, Robinson has played in just 15 games. As New York has eased the seven-footer back into the rotation, he’s put up lukewarm numbers (averaging 5.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes). The big man has also looked gassed at times as he looks to get back into basketball shape. Robinson quipped last week, “I need to be able to play like seven minutes straight,” when he was asked where he wants to be physically.
There’s been some signs of progress. Filling in for Karl-Anthony Towns as a starter last week, Robinson had season-highs of 14 points and 14 rebounds in a 105-91 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the last eight games, Robinson has recorded at least nine rebounds on four different occasions.
Then there’s also the quiet nights. Robinson was scoreless with two rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers two weeks ago. He had two points and two boards in 13 minutes in Sunday night’s 112-98 win against the Phoenix Suns.
Though he’s been inconsistent, the Knicks need Robinson’s presence on the defensive end. He brings a skill set that no other Knick player can offer. With a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Robinson is a legitimate rim-protector and he’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. In his limited minutes, the Knicks are defending better with him on the floor. The team is giving up 106.5 points per 100 possessions when Robinson is playing and 113.2 points when he’s sitting.
Limited available minutes
When the Knicks first traded for Towns, there were questions of if both centers would see the floor together often. So far, it’s been only an occasional option the club has gone to. Towns and Robinson have only played 41 minutes together according to NBA Stats.
But the results have been promising. Robinson and Towns have worked well together. With both centers on the floor, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 10.7 points per 100 possessions.
If Robinson and Towns don’t play together, Robinson’s minutes will be cut. Towns plays around 35 minutes a night, which leaves very little time for Robinson to see the floor. The big man combo did see some time together against Phoenix. Finding time for Robinson to play will be a challenge for head coach Tom Thibodeau, but it’s a good problem to have. At the moment, New York has more depth on the roster than all season.
Quietly, Robinson has made a significant impact in the playoffs for the Knicks. In 2023, he dominated the offensive glass, pulverizing Cleveland Cavaliers big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in New York’s first round series win. As a backup in 2024, Robinson defended 76ers star Joel Embiid well in limited minutes. Before exiting the postseason early due to injury in 2024, the Knicks outscored opponents by 13.2 points per 100 possessions in Robinson’s 115 minutes.
With just four games left in the regular season, time is running out for Robinson to get into perfect shape. But just having his rim-protecting presence on the floor at certain moments should be a boon to the Knicks’ defense in the postseason.
As the Knicks gear up for a playoff run, Mitchell Robinson’s role remains one of the things that could push the team’s hopes of advancing far in the right direction.
Since returning from left ankle surgery in February, Robinson has played in just 15 games. As New York has eased the seven-footer back into the rotation, he’s put up lukewarm numbers (averaging 5.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes). The big man has also looked gassed at times as he looks to get back into basketball shape. Robinson quipped last week, “I need to be able to play like seven minutes straight,” when he was asked where he wants to be physically.
There’s been some signs of progress. Filling in for Karl-Anthony Towns as a starter last week, Robinson had season-highs of 14 points and 14 rebounds in a 105-91 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the last eight games, Robinson has recorded at least nine rebounds on four different occasions.
Then there’s also the quiet nights. Robinson was scoreless with two rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers two weeks ago. He had two points and two boards in 13 minutes in Sunday night’s 112-98 win against the Phoenix Suns.
Though he’s been inconsistent, the Knicks need Robinson’s presence on the defensive end. He brings a skill set that no other Knick player can offer. With a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Robinson is a legitimate rim-protector and he’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. In his limited minutes, the Knicks are defending better with him on the floor. The team is giving up 106.5 points per 100 possessions when Robinson is playing and 113.2 points when he’s sitting.
Limited available minutes
When the Knicks first traded for Towns, there were questions of if both centers would see the floor together often. So far, it’s been only an occasional option the club has gone to. Towns and Robinson have only played 41 minutes together according to NBA Stats.
But the results have been promising. Robinson and Towns have worked well together. With both centers on the floor, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 10.7 points per 100 possessions.
If Robinson and Towns don’t play together, Robinson’s minutes will be cut. Towns plays around 35 minutes a night, which leaves very little time for Robinson to see the floor. The big man combo did see some time together against Phoenix. Finding time for Robinson to play will be a challenge for head coach Tom Thibodeau, but it’s a good problem to have. At the moment, New York has more depth on the roster than all season.
Quietly, Robinson has made a significant impact in the playoffs for the Knicks. In 2023, he dominated the offensive glass, pulverizing Cleveland Cavaliers big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in New York’s first round series win. As a backup in 2024, Robinson defended 76ers star Joel Embiid well in limited minutes. Before exiting the postseason early due to injury in 2024, the Knicks outscored opponents by 13.2 points per 100 possessions in Robinson’s 115 minutes.
With just four games left in the regular season, time is running out for Robinson to get into perfect shape. But just having his rim-protecting presence on the floor at certain moments should be a boon to the Knicks’ defense in the postseason.
