Mitchell Robinson did individual work at Knicks practice on Sunday, May 31 with his hand protected, but coach Mike Brown said the center is uncertain for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. That decision will ultimately belong to the medical staff.
Robinson, 28, broke his right pinky finger during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland and had surgery to repair it. He plans to play against the San Antonio Spurs with a brace protecting it.
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Brown said to reporters after practice that Robinson has to be cleared by the medical staff first.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported that Robinson is pushing to play in Game 1 on Wednesday, June 3.
He wouldn’t be the first player to will himself through something like this, and with Robinson, the bar for playing hurt is already set high. The longest-tenured Knick has battled through a broken right hand, a broken right thumb, a broken right foot and multiple surgeries on a stress fracture in his left ankle over eight seasons in New York. This year, he had finally gotten healthy enough to make a big impact. He played 60 games, his most since 2021-222, and has been one of New York’s most important role players in the playoff run.
More: Knicks coach says Mitchell Robinson injury didn’t occur during game or practice
During the regular season, Robinson led the team in blocks and was second in rebounding. His presence changes the game on the glass. New York’s offensive rebounding percentage jumps nearly 10 points with him on the court. In the playoffs, he’s shooting 73.7% from the floor across 13 games off the bench and is fourth on the team in both blocks and rebounds.
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If he can’t play on Wednesday, that creates a heavier burden for Karl-Anthony Towns and likely forces seven-footer Ariel Hukporti into more playing time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mitchell Robinson injury update: Knicks center works out with brace
