New York Knicks veteran guard Cameron Payne usually gets those driving floaters in the paint. But during Tuesday’s practice, he did not necessarily account for Mitchell Robinson.
The veteran center, who is on the cusp of returning from ankle surgery last May, swatted it away.
“I was a little sick,” Payne joked. “I’m like, ‘I normally get that.’ And he was like, ‘Nah, I’m back.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah.'”
The positive updates keep rolling in for the 26-year-old 7-footer, who has yet to play in a game this season after re-aggravating that ankle injury during New York’s first-round playoff series win over the Philadelphia 76ers last year.
ESPN reported on Sunday that Robinson’s goal is to make his season debut within the week. He has participated in multiple team scrimmages, and Tuesday’s practice is believed to be the final hurdle necessary to clear him for a return.
“He did everything today,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Active. Very active. It’s more how he feels the next day. He’s doing everything, taking contact, then he has to get clearance from medical.”
The Knicks are home on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers before traveling to Memphis on Friday to take on the West’s No. 3 seed Grizzlies.
Initially perceived as the backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns, who was acquired in a mid-summer blockbuster from the Minnesota Timberwolves and garnered starting All-Star honors in his first season in New York, Robinson might have a larger role than expected.
“Mitch was projected to be the starting center on the team,” Thibodeau said. “We’ve gone fifty-something games without our starting center.”
A dramatic jump into full-game action might be a slower process, but such a potential ramp-up could reap considerable rewards for the Knicks.
Robinson is considered one of the best rim protectors in the league and was the NBA’s best offensive rebounder last season before his injury issues began.
Currently, the Knicks rank 20th in defensive rating, 22nd in opponents’ points in the paint per game, and are tied for 18th in offensive rebounds per game.
Towns’ defensive rating of 113.0 ranks 54th among all NBA centers with at least 20 games played. Per ESPN, when he is defending against a top-10 team in the NBA this year, the Knicks’ defensive rating is 127. To compare the worst overall team defensive rating in the league is 118.3 (Utah Jazz).
Putting Robinson at the 5 and flexing Towns to the 4 bolsters the Knicks’ defense and gives Thibodeau the opportunity to move Josh Hart into a super-utility swingman role behind Mikal Bridges at the 2 and OG Anunoby at the 3.
“Guys have done a really good job stepping in. Could we do better? I always believe we can do better,” Thibodeau said. “[Robinson is] an elite rim protector. He’s an elite offensive rebounder. Those are things that are critical.”
