Mitchell Robinson is already making an impact on the New York Knicks in his first two games back from the ankle surgery that kept him sidelined for 10 months, minutes restriction and all.
The 26-year-old center scored six points with five rebounds in 12:20 of play in Friday night’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He followed it up with two points and two offensive rebounds in 13:15 during Sunday night’s comeback win over the Miami Heat, which featured him diving for loose balls on two separate occasions during the third quarter.
He describes it as “down and dirty” play, but it also brings the sandpaper that the Knicks had been considerably lacking in the frontcourt this season. Robinson is one of the best rim protectors and offensive rebounders in the game. His ability to read opposing offenses and drop in pick-and-roll defensive scenarios also provides a huge boost to overutilized players like Mikal Bridges, who has often been left out to dry by All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns.
In a little over his first 25 minutes this season, Robinson’s defensive rating is 100.0, which is considerably better than the league average, which usually hovers around 110. By comparison, Towns’ defensive rating is 113.
The more Robinson acclimates to life back on the floor and his minutes restriction dwindles, the better the Knicks’ below-average defense this season will improve.
“It’s coming along. Just taking time,” Robinson said. “First game, as y’all saw, tired as hell. Second game, not so much. But still a little bit. That’s what’s going to happen when you miss 10 months playing ball.”
Robinson initially said upon his return that he was getting an 18-minute restriction. His first two games have fallen significantly short of that, but it should increase incrementally starting Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden against the Golden State Warriors.
“Short stints for a while to see where he is,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s been out a long time. Obviously, games are a lot different than practice. He’s a vet, so I think he understands who he is. Just playing to your strengths and go as hard as you can.”
