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While the New York Knicks have a strong 38-20 record, there are reasons for them and their fans to be concerned.
They have lost every single game this season versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics, and a growing number of people feel they’re pretenders instead of legitimate championship contenders.
One player the Knicks are missing who could help them take another step forward is center Mitchell Robinson, who has been out since last season due to an ankle injury.
He has been inching closer to a return, and per Ian Begley, head coach Tom Thibodeau said the big man is feeling OK after participating in practice.
Mitchell Robinson is feeling fine today after going through practice yesterday, Tom Thibodeau said
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 26, 2025
There have been people calling for Robinson to start once he returns and for Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been starting at the 5 spot, to move to power forward, but Robinson may not be in the starting five when he returns, per James L. Edwards III.
Thibs clarified that he didn’t say Mitch Robinson will start when he gets back. Said that was the plan before the season started (and I assume KAT trade).
Saw a lot of people read into that the other day. As someone in the room, I didn’t take it as him saying Mitch was starting.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) February 26, 2025
Robinson has been an energetic and intense rebounder, rim-protector and defender for New York since they drafted him in 2018, but he has been injury-prone — he has played in just 90 games over the last three seasons.
But when he has been healthy, his impact has been noticeable.
He has averages of 8.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 24.5 minutes a game so far in his NBA career, and he has the ability to single-handedly boost New York’s chances of winning it all.
But since he has been out for a while, it is clear that the Knicks are missing Isaiah Hartenstein, the center who played well for them last season and is now a member of the Thunder.
Hartenstein is averaging 10.9 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game this season, and all three figures are career highs for him.
NEXT:Â Radio Host Rips Karl-Anthony Towns, Calls Him ‘Soft’
