The New York Knicks have received a devastating blow as center Mitchell Robinson is expected to miss the remainder of the playoffs due to a stress injury in his left ankle. The injury, a recurrence of a problem that plagued him earlier in the season, leaves a significant void in the team's defense and rebounding.
The New York Knicks have endured a crushing setback in their pursuit of a deep playoff run, as star center Mitchell Robinson is set to miss the rest of the postseason due to a stress injury in his left ankle. The injury, a recurrence of a problem that sidelined him for 50 games earlier this season, was confirmed after imaging tests conducted on Tuesday.
The loss of Robinson is a major blow to the Knicks, who have relied heavily on his rim protection and rebounding prowess. In Game 1 of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers, Robinson played just 12 minutes before hobbling off the court. Even during that limited time on the floor, he appeared slower than usual.
The stress injury is expected to keep Robinson out for six to eight weeks, which would extend close to the end of the NBA Finals. This is not the first time Robinson has dealt with this injury, as he missed most of the regular season after suffering the same issue in December. He briefly returned in March but aggravated the injury during the Knicks' first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In Robinson's absence, Precious Achiuwa has taken on the center duties off the bench, and head coach Tom Thibodeau will rely on him to provide relief for Isaiah Hartenstein. However, Robinson's unique combination of rebounding and defensive versatility will be sorely missed.
Achiuwa played nearly 20 minutes in Game 4 of the first round against the Sixers, when Robinson was out, but went 0-for-5 from the field. He did manage to grab seven rebounds and block four shots, posting a plus-11 on the floor.
The Knicks, who lead the postseason in offensive rebounding, will look to Achiuwa to continue providing that spark off the bench. They will need his contributions as they navigate the playoffs without their defensive anchor.
Robinson's injury is a reminder of the fragility of the human body, especially in the grueling world of professional basketball. The Knicks will have to adjust their game plan and rally together in the face of this adversity if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
