Mitchell Robinson’s Injury Update

Mitchell Robinson had an impressive performance in Game 4 against the Cavaliers, even though he was dealing with a broken little finger.

The Knicks center is aiming to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday after undergoing surgery to fix his fractured right pinky finger. During the Eastern Conference Finals clincher, he seemed shaken while attempting rebounds in the second and third quarters.

Earlier in the game, with a solid lead of 61-35, Robinson went for a rebound after Mikal Bridges missed a corner three-pointer. However, while battling with Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen and others, he lost control of the ball during a turnover.

At that moment, Robinson was fouled, and teammate Jalen Brunson was encouraging the bench to challenge the call. Some fans speculated that his struggle signaled a potential injury, but he seemed to be gripping his left hand instead, which is the side opposite his recent surgery.

In the third quarter, as the Knicks were ahead 84-59, Robinson again attempted to secure rebounds against two Cavaliers players. The ball lightly brushed his left hand’s fingertips before being claimed by Cleveland, leaving him feeling uneasy as he sprinted down the court.

It’s hard to say if those instances contributed to his injury. There’s some uncertainty about how the injury may impact him moving forward.

Robinson’s pinky fracture was officially acknowledged three days after the Knicks secured the Eastern Conference title. According to reports, the timeline for his recovery isn’t clear yet.

Regardless of who comes out of the Western Conference Finals, Robinson’s role will be significant. If the Spurs defeat the Thunder, he will likely face off against Victor Wembanyama, but if Oklahoma City advances, his defensive presence will be critical, particularly in protecting the rim.

He expresses a strong desire to play, yet the true effects of his injury remain to be seen.