Rehabbing from injury and with no official word on his recovery timeline, Mitchell Robinson expressed optimism about his progress, but dismissed suggestions that he should be rushing back.
“You see what happens when I rush back? I back off,” Robinson said in a live video Thursday on social media. “At this time, I have to make sure that I am also good for life. Come on, now. Come here not be selfish. … But we will be good. We will be okay. We will be okay. I promise you will be straight. ”
Robinson has not spoken to the media since undergoing surgery on his left ankle in May, when the procedure was characterized as “minor” with a re-evaluation scheduled for six to eight weeks.
Over five months later, Robinson still hasn’t resumed practice and is DNP for Friday’s home opener against the Pacers.
A source said Robinson is expected to return in December or January, although the situation is fluid and depends on the center’s progress.
“Rehab is going to be good, I’m not going to lie,” Robinson said. “I’m very proud of the work this week and last week. Good signs. Good signs.”
It’s unclear how Robinson, whose fitness and conditioning have taken some time to return from previous injuries, suffered the setback or why his recovery timeline is so crowded.
He missed 50 straight games last season after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right ankle, an injury severe enough for the Knicks to petition the NBA for a disabled player exemption (they were denied).
About five weeks after his return, Robinson was the target of a dirty game by Joel Embiid in the playoffs, left Game 3 in a walking boot, limped around the rest of the series and was thrown out of the playoffs after losing Game 2 in the second round. .
The next surgery is at least the fourth procedure in three years for Robinson, who broke his right leg and right hand in 2021.
That’s a clue as to why Robinson, 26, referenced his health goals “for life” on the livestream.
Given the uncertainty around Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein leaving in free agency, the Knicks pushed harder to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns in a September trade that reconfigured the rotation and identity of the Knicks.
Robinson said he had “really no reaction” to the trade but enjoyed Towns’ company.
“He’s a good guy, bro,” said Robinson, a 2018 draft pick who is now the longest-tenured Knick for three years. “When I’m in the weight room, he’s there. The vibes are great. We’re hitting the country (music). We’re going in the weight room just knocking our workouts out.
With Robinson as the catalyst, the Knicks built their identity the previous two seasons around elite rebounding and paint protection.
Until his first ankle injury in December, Robinson had been the NBA’s top offensive rebounder, by far, with 5.3 per game — which followed him leading the East in that category in 2022-23.
The Knicks continued with that identity when Hartenstein took over. But Towns offers a different style in the middle and clearing the glass could be a weakness with a lineup that only has one good rebounder for his position – Josh Hart.
Robinson, if healthy, will also represent the Knicks’ top rim protector – another area of ​​concern for Towns.
But Robinson, who is often in drop coverage in pick-and-rolls, said he wants to experiment with pressing as a defender.
Depending on his health and how the season shakes out, the Knicks could start Towns at power forward and Robinson at center.
“You know what I’m going to try this year? When I’m guarding people, right, usually I’m going to like reach my arm. Probably like my back leg. I think I’m going to start hitting,” Robinson said. “Because I know I will recover quickly if I take care of you. …I got a little technique and it mostly works. I really have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Robinson can’t flash this “trick” if it’s not on the court.
And the center, which still has two years left on the deal, says it won’t rush that part.
