NBA League sources confirmed that New York Knicks’ center player Mitchell Robinson will miss the start of the regular season after suffering an off-season ankle surgery, further depleting the already scarce center position. After undergoing ankle surgery in December of last year, Robinson, who participated in 31 games, had another injury to his foot or ankle during New York’s first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. He was also out for the last six games of the team’s second-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
According to sources, the Knicks are expecting Robinson’s comeback in December or January, but the exact timing will be determined by the 26-year-old American’s rehabilitation process. After Isaiah Hartenstein, the main starter from the previous season, signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, there was already a lot of uncertainty around the center position. In addition to Robinson, Precious Achiuwa was re-signed by the Knicks over the summer to a one-year contract worth $6 million, while center Jericho Sims is a fourth-year player.
In an interview with NBA.com last week, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau stated that he could envision situations in which forward Julius Randle—who has a $30.9 million player option for 2025–2026—might start at center in a small-ball lineup. Neither in his time with the Knicks nor in his previous stints with the Timberwolves or Bulls has Thibodeau frequently gone that way. Instead, he has chosen to have size and rim protection anchor his defense at the pivot.
The Robinson news comes following a hectic summer in New York. Mikal Bridges was acquired by the Knicks from the Brooklyn Nets in a surprise move that was the first between the two teams in forty years. Along with signing Thibodeau and star guard Jalen Brunson to longer contracts, the Knicks also re-signed free agency forward OG Anunoby to a $212.5 million, five-year deal.
The main reason behind Robinson’s injury was Joel Embiid. During Game 3 of the 2024 playoff first round, when Knicks forward Anunoby passed the ball to Robinson, Embiid, who was already on the ground after taking charge, made an ugly play. The Cameroonian power forward dragged Robinson’s left leg and pulled him to the ground, receiving a flagrant 1 foul. The Knicks center, who was in immense pain, was forced to move to the locker room and never returned.
However, the 7’0 tall star player seemed quite positive in his Instagram story. The American wrote, “God, I got ALOT I want to say, but I’ll just leave it to your hands. Not everything needs a reaction. Peace out,” with Sean McGee’s My Story running in the background. Along with that, in the next story, he shared a picture of a chit that had, “You’re going to make it. God is on your side.”.
The Knicks will struggle to retain their defensive effectiveness without Robinson, but this challenge also offers them a chance to develop and become more versatile as a team. Accepting novel approaches may create the foundation for a future team that is more flexible.
