Mitchell Robinson’s been having a rough go with injuries lately, and Knicks fans are definitely feeling his absence on the court.
After multiple surgeries and being out for most of last season, everyone’s wondering when he’ll return.
Well, good news: he’s aiming for a December or January return.
But how’s the team holding up without him, and what’s the plan when he comes back?
Let’s find out.
- Mitchell Robinson plans to return in December or January after recovering from two ankle surgeries last year.
- The Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns to cover Robinson’s absence, alongside Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa filling in at center.
- The Knicks want Robinson to fully recover before he returns, and they have no set date for his return.
Mitchell Robinson’s Expected Return
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has had a tough time with ankle injuries over the last year.
He had two surgeries on his left ankle—one in December 2023 and another in May 2024.
Now, he’s aiming to get back on the court between December and January.
But as you can expect, the team is being very careful with his recovery and wants him to be fully healthy before he plays again.
During the 2023-24 season, Robinson only played in 31 games because of his injuries.
Consequently, his absence affected the Knicks, especially in the playoffs.
He got re-injured in the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. As a result, he missed the final six games of the second-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
With Robinson sidelined, his defensive presence was missed, and the Knicks struggled to maintain consistency at the center position.
How the Knicks Are Handling Robinson’s Absence
With Robinson’s recovery taking longer, the Knicks made some changes to strengthen the center position.
The most significant move was trading for Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Towns, a four-time All-Star, will handle most of the center minutes while Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa provide additional support.
The need for this trade became clear after Isaiah Hartenstein, who played as Robinson’s backup and started 49 games in his place, left the Knicks.
During the offseason, Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
And losing Hartenstein left the Knicks short on options at the center spot, so adding Towns was a major move to fill that gap.
In addition to Towns, Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa will provide extra support and depth at the center position.
With the Knicks’ preseason underway, having started with a game against the Charlotte Hornets, their regular season will begin on October 22 against the Boston Celtics.
And without Robinson, the focus will be on integrating Towns into the team and building chemistry while awaiting Robinson’s return.
Robinson’s Role When He Returns
When Robinson is ready to return, the Knicks plan to bring him back slowly by starting him off the bench.
Head Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized that they’re in no rush, saying, “We want to make sure he’s completely healthy before we move forward… We’re going to be patient.”
The Knicks clearly value Robinson, their longest-tenured player, who is known for his strong defense and shot-blocking.
They recognize that even though Towns will start, Robinson will still be an important player once he’s healthy enough to play again.
