New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is close to making his return to the court. Robinson, who recently underwent ankle surgery, could be back in early March or sometime in March, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. The 7-foot center is expected to recover before his 26th birthday on April 1. Robinson’s trainer, Marcell Scott, shared a workout video on Instagram, showcasing his client’s progress. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that Robinson is no longer wearing a walking boot to support his surgically repaired left ankle. It seems that Robinson is getting playoff ready and eager to contribute to the team’s success.
“It’s just a steady progression,” exclaimed Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau on February 20. Thibodeau provided an update on center Mitchell Robinson’s recovery from a left ankle injury, stating that Robinson is now able to shoot on the court. Although he is not yet running or jumping, Robinson is making progress with activities such as pool workouts and cycling. Thibodeau emphasized that each week will bring another step forward for Robinson, and when he’s ready, he’ll be back on the court.
Robinson has been absent from the Knicks’ lineup for the past 34 games since his injury on December 8 against the Boston Celtics. During this period, his backup, Isaiah Hartenstein, has stepped up and played well, helping the Knicks achieve a record of 21-13. However, the team is eager to have Robinson back for the remaining 27 games of the regular season and hopefully for the playoffs, which begin in mid-April.
Before his injury, Robinson was making a strong case for a spot on the All-Defensive Team. He was averaging a career-high 10.3 rebounds, along with 6.2 points on an impressive 59% shooting, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Additionally, he leads the league in offensive rebounding with 5.3 per game. With Robinson’s impending return and Hartenstein’s growth, the Knicks will have a formidable rim protection for the entire 48 minutes during the playoffs.
Thibodeau also confirmed the return of three other players to the Knicks’ lineup. Donte DiVincenzo, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who have been dealing with various injuries, will be back on the court for the team’s upcoming game against the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers. Thibodeau shared that all three players participated fully in practice on February 20 and sat out the Knicks’ final game before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the Knicks lost that game to the Orlando Magic, giving up the regular season tie-breaker to their young and promising opponents from Florida.
According to TNT analyst Kenny Smith on “Inside the NBA,” a healthy Knicks roster led by All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson is a strong contender to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Smith even named Brunson as a top-5 MVP candidate this season, which is why he believes the Knicks have what it takes to challenge the current league’s best team, the Boston Celtics, in the Eastern Conference Finals. Smith acknowledged that in previous seasons, the Knicks always seemed to have the second-best player on the court, but Brunson’s exceptional performance has narrowed the gap and boosted the team’s chances.
Last season, the Knicks fell short in the playoffs, losing to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in the second round. However, the team made significant changes this season with mid-season trades and free agent signings, acquiring players such as OG Anonuby, Alec Burks, and Bogdanovic, as well as DiVincenzo. These moves have provided the Knicks with a more versatile and deeper roster, increasing their ability to compete at a higher level.
According to the Source heavy.com