SAN ANTONIO — A side benefit of the Knicks’ foul problems and Friday’s drama was an extended look at Mitchell Robinson, who played all but 12 seconds in overtime and was pleased with his performance.
The downside was that he sprained his left ankle (which was not surgically repaired) after landing awkwardly on a dunk attempt.
The center, who recently returned from a 50-game injury absence, is listed as “questionable” to play against the Thunder on Easter Sunday, despite assurances after the game that he was fine.
“I think I had a solid game for my second game back,” Robinson said. “What did you get, 7? [points] and 12 [rebounds]?
“We’ll be right back in action. Isn’t that what I averaged before I went out? Yeah, come back a champion.”
Robinson’s 20 minutes total was his longest appearance since Dec. 5, a nearly four-month period that included surgery on his right ankle.
His seven offensive boards brought back memories of when Robinson was in the running for All-Defense earlier this campaign.
But it wasn’t perfect.
Or rather, it’s smooth.
In addition to his sprained ankle, Robinson, who played in extra innings because Isaiah Hartenstein fouled out at the end of regulation, missed six of nine shot attempts and apparently missed Victor Wembaneyama’s ball under the basket. He was troubled by the existence of Elastic Man.
The Knicks were outscored by 10 points with Robinson on the court, now a surefire backup.
His net rating was roughly -23 to Hartenstein’s plus-15.3.
Part of that assessment is because Robinson played ugly for a few minutes in the fourth quarter without Jalen Brunson, and the Knicks’ offense struggled without Brunson.
Additionally, several of Robinson’s missed field goals were tips off offensive rebounds without full possession, so it was unfair to count.
But he also understood that rhythm mattered.
“The timing is off. It’s brutal,” Robinson said. “I think I played really well. [before the injury]. And if he leaves it for 4 months, the timing will be messed up. But it is what it is. I’m not going to use that as an excuse. You can do better. I’m a basketball player. I spent the last 6 years. ”
It’s a process.
It’s both about maintaining health and establishing a rhythm.
That’s why it was good that Robinson was able to make a comeback before the playoffs, and why Julius Randle is a concern the longer he is out of action.
In Robinson’s first game against the Raptors since returning from surgery on Wednesday, the atmosphere was more relaxed in a dominating victory. The atmosphere in San Antonio on Friday was as intense as a playoff game.
The Spurs (18-56) played to the crowd’s enthusiasm and won their third straight game despite the draft lottery result. The Knicks (44-29) fell from third to fourth in the East.
“First game. We got back into the atmosphere of playing in front of a big crowd,” Robinson said. “And the second game, just bring a little more energy.”
Despite having a recent adjustment to his right ankle, the 25-year-old said his recovery from the stress fracture in his left ankle was much easier than the fracture in his right foot he sustained in 2021.
“It’s just a broken leg. It’s just a broken fifth metatarsal,” Robinson said. “This was just like a hairline fracture. …This one is much easier than the last one. The last one was out. [about six months]. This isn’t too bad. ”
