It doesn’t sound like Mitchell Robinson will make his season debut earlier than the Feb. 6 NBA Commerce Deadline — and judging by head coach Tom Thibodeau’s pregame feedback on Wednesday, there’s no urgency to hurry the Knicks’ defensive anchor again earlier than, or instantly after, the All-Star break, both.
Robinson, recovering from two surgical procedures to restore repeat stress fractures in his left ankle, hasn’t performed since Recreation 1 of the Knicks’ second-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Indiana Pacers on Might 6. His preliminary return timeline of December-January is now all however out the window.
Thibodeau supplied an encouraging replace, revealing that Robinson has progressed to sprinting. Nevertheless, he emphasised that the shot-blocking large man nonetheless has a number of key benchmarks to clear earlier than making his long-awaited return to the courtroom.
“He’s running, jumping — doing all that stuff. He hasn’t had contact yet, and that’s really the next step for him,” Thibodeau mentioned forward of tipoff in opposition to the Denver Nuggets. “There’s some contact, but it’s very controlled.”
Which implies Robinson remains to be within the early phases of on-court work.
Earlier than he can rejoin the rotation, he’ll must progress by means of the standard restoration ladder: particular person drills, gentle contact, then 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and finally 5-on-5 drills and scrimmages. With the commerce deadline lower than 10 days away, the Knicks gained’t get an opportunity to guage how he matches alongside their retooled roster earlier than then.
Thibodeau emphasised persistence, sustaining that the workforce gained’t deviate from its cautious strategy.
“Look, he’s doing really well. I’m trusting the medical people. When he’s cleared, he’s cleared,” Thibodeau mentioned. “We’re not gonna rush it. We’re gonna be patient. Whether it’s this week, next week, the week after—wherever it falls, it falls. But we want him completely healthy before we put him back out there.”
The fact? Robinson’s return earlier than the Feb. 12 matchup in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks — the ultimate sport earlier than the All-Star break — appears unlikely.
Even after the break, the Knicks might maintain him out of the Chicago-Cleveland back-to-back on Feb. 20-21, they usually might punt on the Feb. 23 showdown in Boston in opposition to the Celtics, too.
That would depart little time to guage Robinson’s chemistry with new cornerstone items Karl-Anthony Cities and Mikal Bridges. Even his minutes with OG Anunoby have been restricted — the 2 solely shared the courtroom in six regular-season video games collectively final season.
The match, nevertheless, is straightforward to challenge.
Cities thrived subsequent to Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, and Robinson supplies an analogous rim-protecting presence whereas dominating the offensive glass. His established chemistry with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart ought to assist ease the transition.
Nonetheless, reintegrating Robinson gained’t be seamless, and his position can be restricted at first.
“Obviously, we’re almost 50 games into the season, so we have a set rotation. We know there’s going to be an adjustment period,” Thibodeau mentioned. “That’s what I love about Mitch — he’s always been this way, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.”
For now, Robinson can be coming off the bench and taking part in diminished minutes because the Knicks handle his workload.
“Obviously, he’s not going to be playing starter’s minutes. He’s got to get acclimated to playing again,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So whatever medical says, how he feels — there will be a ramp-up, and we’ll go from there. We’re excited for whenever he does come back.”
Robinson has profession averages of 8 factors, 8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per sport, however earlier than his harm final season, he had emerged because the NBA’s premier offensive rebounder.
Till he returns, the Knicks will proceed counting on Jericho Sims, rookie Ariel Hukporti, and a mixture of Valuable Achiuwa on the backup 5.
However the rim safety, rebounding, and lob risk Robinson brings?
That’s one thing nobody else on the roster can replicate.
Now, it’s only a matter of ready.
For the Knicks, the wait continues, although Robinson’s progress suggests a return could possibly be on the horizon.
