According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is now expected to be sidelined until late January or early February. This marks a setback from the initial projection, which had Robinson returning around the start of the new year following offseason ankle surgery.
Charania provided the update during NBA Countdown before the Knicks faced off against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
“I’m told he’s unlikely to get cleared until at least late January into February, so that pushes his timeline a bit,” Charania reported. “They need to see whether he comes back healthy and can play or if the Knicks might need to explore the market… potentially for another big off the bench.”
Robinson’s extended absence could prompt the Knicks to evaluate their depth in the frontcourt as they look to stay competitive during a crucial stretch of the season.
The Knicks are badly missing Robinson
With Mitchell Robinson sidelined, Jericho Sims has served as the primary backup center for the New York Knicks, but his absence was most acutely felt in Wednesday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks allowed Atlanta to grab 22 offensive rebounds, while New York secured just 12, highlighting the impact of Robinson’s rebounding and rim protection.
Robinson’s absence also proved costly in last season’s playoffs, where his injury set off a chain reaction of setbacks for the team. He missed 51 regular season games with an ankle injury and contributed 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the 31 games he did play.
If Robinson’s recovery takes longer than expected, the Knicks may explore the market for a more durable backup center. Potential trade targets include Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets and Drew Eubanks of the Utah Jazz, both of whom could be affordable options. In the meantime, the Knicks will have to continue without their starting center and hope that their current rotation can mitigate the loss.
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