Mitchell Robinson injured: Mitchell Robinson’s situation has deteriorated significantly.
following undergoing ankle surgery last week, the Knicks’ starting center is likely to miss the remainder of the season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic following Wednesday’s 121-102 win over the Nets in Brooklyn.
According to the source, the Knicks have already submitted to the NBA for a Disabled Player Exception worth $7.8 million for salary-cap purposes.
The Knicks announced last week that Robinson, who is in the second year of a four-year, $60 million contract, will be out for at least eight to ten weeks.
Robinson, 25, leads the NBA this season with 5.3 offensive rebounds per game, and his 10.3 total rebounds are a career high.
Following foot and hand operations, he also lost substantial time in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
Mitchell Robinson is expected to miss the remainder of the season, according to the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The devastating news comes as the Knicks are down to two healthy centers, with third-year big man Jericho Sims set to be reevaluated in seven to ten days after sustaining a sprained right ankle against the Lakers on Monday.
Isaiah Hartenstein, the team’s backup big man, earned his first start of the season on Wednesday night, finishing with two points, ten rebounds, and two blocked shots in 29 minutes.
After Robinson went down, veteran Taj Gibson received his most substantial playing time off the bench since re-signing with the Knicks last week, totaling 13 minutes.
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Sims had started the previous five games before injuring his ankle in the first quarter of Monday’s win over the Lakers on the road.
Gibson, 38, spent last season with the Wizards after spending the previous three years with the Knicks. He has also played for Tom Thibodeau’s clubs, the Bulls and the Timberwolves.
“The Finest of Brooklyn.” What do you have to say about him? “That’s who he is,” Thibodeau said of Gibson after Wednesday’s game. “Look, even if he didn’t play a second, he’d still be contributing because he’s the ultimate professional.” He’s an excellent teammate. He’ll do everything you ask of him. He could start or come off the bench, but he couldn’t be in the rotation. And he’ll find a constructive way to contribute to the squad.
Robinson has been out for the previous few seasons due to various operations. NBAE/Getty Images
“And when he’s not playing, he’s full of energy.” He’s enthusiastic and positive, and I believe that will help your squad. It’s fantastic for our young men to witness. It’s not by chance that he’s been playing for so long. He was fantastic.”
Thibodeau also stated before the game that depending on the matchups, he may use smaller lines with power forward Julius Randle or perhaps 6-foot-4 wing Josh Hart at center.
The Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton drives to the hoop while the New York Knicks’ Taj Gibson defends. Noah K. Murray-New York Post
“He might be able to. “You could downsize completely,” Thibodeau said of Hart. “He is capable of guarding every position.” It also depends on who they have on the floor. So that has a role.”
After Obi Toppin was moved in the summer, Hart has been functioning as Randle’s backup at power forward this season.
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