The Knicks didn’t have Mitchell Robinson in the final six games of last year’s postseason.
On a Saturday night he showed his worth.
The seven-footer came out of the bench and stole with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 18th block, with the Knicks spinning 123-112 to get a Game 1 victory over the Garden Pistons.
Coach Tom Thibodeau used the towns of Robinson and Karl Anthony together at some point in the first half, and it worked.
“I think the size is good,” Thibodeau said. “I thought Mitch also made a really good defensive play in the fourth time during that stretch. The steals he had, the game was pretty tight. It was a big play. He plays that way.
Out of surgery on his left ankle, Robinson appeared in just 17 regular season games.
But if he could produce like Saturday, no one would remember.
With the playoffs in motion, the Knicks were really full of strength.
Rookie Ariel Fuk Porti – The Knicks drafted in the second round last year, but the 58th pick was available in Game 1.
This was the first time Hukpori was able to use it after undergoing surgery from February 26th and repaired a torn meniscus in his left knee.
He suffered an injury during his first and only career start – a 110-105 victory over the 76ers.
He didn’t show up in the series open victory over the Pistons.
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The 7 footer played modestly before the injury, but sometimes served as a useful and physically large body from the bench.
If town, Robinson, or a valuable Achihua needs to take a break or get into foul trouble, it could be useful for a tough piston team.
Hukporti played 25 games in the regular season, averaging 1.9 points and 2 rebounds per game.
“It was slowly building up, so he just cleared,” Thibodeau said.
In the warm-up, Josh Hart was playing the Jazz Chisholm Junior Yankees basketball jersey. It will be handed out to Yankees fans on May 2nd.
Hart is a huge Yankees fan.
He is the greatest of Yankees legend Elston Howard, the first African-American player in Yankees history and a 12-time All-Star.
