MIAMI – The only thing that would stop Mitchell Robinson was the restriction of minutes.
It was an encouragement performance from the backup center on Sunday as Robinson set the Miami Proknik crowd on a key third quarter run of the 116-112 victory.
Robinson, who hadn't played about 10 months ago before returning last week, had pigeons on the court twice because of loose balls against the heat.
He also converted a putback and finished with two offensive rebounds in 13 minutes.
“It's coming. It's just taking time. The first game is hell-tired, as y'all saw. The second game, not that much. But still a bit,” Robinson said. “That's what happens when you miss the ball for 10 months.”
How about digging out a loose ball with that surgically repaired ankle?
“Use what I'm doing and go back. I've been doing it for a while. I'm not afraid to get off and be dirty. Sometimes you had to do it,” he said.
Still, Robinson was pulled early in the fourth quarter due to minutes restrictions, as he prioritizes long-term health.
He was reinserted for some defensive possessions.
Robinson said the limit was 18 minutes, but the Knicks cut him off by about 12 in each of the first two games.
“I think it's going to go up more and more every week,” he said. “that's right [frustrating] Because it's difficult to get the rhythm. ”
Robinson's return also drove the precious Achihua out of the spin. Achiuwa recorded his first healthy DNP of the season on a Sunday of two nights, four minutes in total against Memphis.
The Knicks abandoned their two-way contract pair Matt Ryan and Jacob Toppin, setting more roster move stages to bolster the end of the bench.
Currently, it has a regular roster spot and two bidirectional slots, potentially filled.
Sources say they have contacted at least two G-League prospects (veteran Wing TJ Warren and centre Moses Brown) and about potential calls, but there were no commitments as of Friday.
Ryan played 19 games for the Knicks this season, averaging 1.5 points on 32% of the shots. He was signed in November as a potential spinning piece, but never settled.
“I thought he did a really good job for us,” Tom Thibodeau said. “You're always looking for ways to improve your team. [Team president Leon Rose] And his staff, that's what they do. And we are clearly very pleased with him and we wish him well. ”
