Knicks’ Robinson to play after surgery
Sources tell ESPN the New York Knicks big man plans to return for Game 1 despite recent surgery, with the team set to face either the Thunder or Spurs.
New York Knicks centre Mitchell Robinson has undergone surgery on a broken right pinkie finger and intends to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals while wearing a protective brace, sources told ESPN. The injury occurred during the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with video footage showing Robinson grabbing his right hand and shaking it with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter after attempting to rebound a missed shot by teammate Mikal Bridges.
Robinson continued to play intermittently until 7:47 remained in the fourth quarter of that series-clinching game. The Knicks will open the Finals on Wednesday against either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, pending the outcome of the Western Conference finals Game 7 scheduled for Saturday.
This marks the Knicks’ first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1999. Robinson, who serves primarily as a bench player and provides depth if fellow big man Karl-Anthony Towns accumulates foul trouble, has averaged 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 14.2 minutes per game during the playoffs.
Opponents have frequently fouled Robinson on the offensive end due to his poor free-throw shooting, where he is 13-for-43 (30.2%) in the playoffs. During the regular season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes per game.
The Associated Press contributed information to this report.
