Mitchell Robinson, just two games back from ankle surgery in December, is already out of the Knicks’ lineup with the same ankle injury.
Robinson sprained his left ankle in Friday’s game against San Antonio and was ruled out of Sunday night’s last-minute loss to the Thunder at the Garden.
“He just adjusted it, we’ll see where he is.” [on Monday]” Tom Thibodeau said before the game.
Robinson played 19 minutes off the bench Friday night after logging 12 minutes in two shifts in his first appearance since Dec. 8 in Toronto two days earlier.
The 25-year-old Robinson played nearly all of overtime (all but 12 seconds) against the Spurs after landing awkwardly while attempting a regulation offensive rebound due to Isaiah Hartenstein fouling out.
“We’ll be right back in action. … Come back like champions,” Robinson said after the Spurs game, defending rookie big man Victor Wembaneyama well. “The timing is off. It’s brutal. I thought we played really well. [before the injury]. And if you take four months off, your timing will be messed up.
“But it is what it is. I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I can be better. I’m a basketball player. I’ve had the last six years.”
The Knicks remained without Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow), but Alec Burks (shoulder) and Hartenstein (wrist) were available.
Thibodeau said Randle and Anunoby are “fundamentally the same,” meaning they are not allowed to have contact with each other.
The Knicks, who are a half-game behind the Cavaliers for third place in the Eastern Conference playoffs, have eight games remaining, starting Tuesday when they play the Heat in Miami.
Anunoby returned after missing six weeks after elbow surgery and appeared in three games from March 12-16, but was forced to miss his seventh consecutive game Sunday due to elbow inflammation.
Asked if there was any concern that Anunoby wouldn’t be back by the end of the regular season, Thibodeau said: … When he gets strong enough, he’ll get out there. ”
Anunoby has returned to action, at least temporarily, but Randle is still awaiting medical clearance after dislocating his right shoulder in a Jan. 27 game against the Heat.
“Keep doing what he’s doing every day,” Thibodeau said. “You never know when things will change. That’s basically the approach we take.
“Rehab is really your game, so put everything you have into it. And you’ll get there eventually. You can’t get discouraged. Just keep working. The rest of you have work to do. There is.”
All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) was in the Thunder’s lineup, which tied him with the Timberwolves for the best record in the West.
With Robinson out, the Knicks have relied on Hartenstein, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims for playing time at center.
Oklahoma City rookie big man Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while making 1.6 3-pointers per game in 73 games.
“They move people around. He plays on the baseline a little bit. He plays all over the floor,” Thibodeau said. “The versatility of your bigs, that’s a big part of it.
“That’s what we like about Josh.” [Hart], I like that Precious can be guarded up and down. OG does the same thing. There are situations…it’s up to you. ”
Burks scored five points in 12 minutes after missing the past three games with a sprained shoulder.
