Wrapping up the second night of a back-to-back set on Wednesday, March 4, the New York Knicks are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the first time in a few games, the Knicks plan to roll without the veteran center, Mitchell Robinson.
According to the Knicks’ official injury report on Wednesday afternoon, the team revealed that Robinson will get night two off, as the team faces the defending champions.
Mitchell Robinson Deals With Injury Scare Before Thunder Matchup
As the Knicks went head-to-head with the Toronto Raptors on the road on Tuesday night, the veteran center was seen limping on the court in the first half. The veteran center collided with a teammate.
Robinson finished the Tuesday night victory over the Knicks with two points, 10 rebounds, and two steals within 20 minutes of play.
The Knicks didn’t have an immediate update on Robinson following the 111-95 victory.
Fortunately, the injury report reflects a somewhat positive outcome, even though it comes with Robinson missing action this month.
GettyNew York Knicks veteran Mitchell Robinson is dealing with a setback, which will force him out of the lineup against the OKC Thunder.
The Knicks say that Robinson’s absence is due to left ankle injury management. There isn’t a new diagnosis on the table for the veteran big man.
Wednesday’s game will mark the first absence since February 22 for Robinson. He was out for the Knicks’ 137-134 overtime loss against the struggling Indiana Pacers. Since then, Robinson has appeared in four-straight games.
The veteran center has averaged 4.3 points and 8.5 rebounds off the bench in 17.5 minutes per game.
More Knicks News: Mike Brown Explains Surprise Mitchell Robinson Decision
This season, Robinson has appeared in 45 games for the Knicks. He started the year off as a full-time starter for the team when healthy, but has been utilized as a reserve for the most part.
Robinson has just 14 starts under his belt. Seeing the court for 19.4 minutes per game, Robinson is averaging 5.0 points on 70% shooting from the field, and coming down with 8.7 rebounds per game.
Mike Brown Speaks on Mitchell Robinson’s Season
GettyHead coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks in action from the bench.
Injury concerns have been common throughout Robinson’s run with the Knicks, especially lately. Recently, first-year head coach Mike Brown praised his organization’s medical staff for keeping Robinson available for the team throughout the year.
“We love the medical group that we have,” Brown told reporters over the weekend. “[Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit.”
As for Robinson, Brown praised him as well.
“He bought into this plan, and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels,” the head coach added. “The best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
Without Robinson, the Knicks will tip off against the Thunder at 7 PM ET. on Wednesday. The Knicks are searching for their 41st win of the year.
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