Mitchell Robinson is on pace to recover and start shooting on-court immediately after the All-Star break, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday in the first official update on the starting center.
Robinson has been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in mid-December.
“I’m very happy with how he’s doing,” Thibodeau said before the Knicks’ 123-113 win over the Grizzlies at the Garden. “So that’s a positive thing.”
This is a positive update considering there were concerns that Robinson would miss the entire season with a broken ankle.
Still, there’s a big difference between starting to work on the court and returning to the actual game.
Thibodeau explained the process without setting out an actual schedule for each step.
“You rehab, get in the pool, train. [anti-gravity treadmill], lifting and things like that,” the coach said. “Then they’ll allow him to get on the court with form shots, that kind of thing. Then we’ll go into the running part, the jumping part, first 1-on-0, then 1-on-1, then 2-on-2. , we’re going to go step by step. If we play 5-on-5, we’ll be allowed to practice.”
Robinson is still waiting for clearance to take the court, but Thibodeau said the 25-year-old has already had “some shooting.”
“But it’s limited,” Thibodeau said. “We need to take it one step at a time. Follow the medical protocols until he is cleared to start running.”
The key for Robinson is to keep his weight down before trying to transition his body into game shape.
“That’s why we put him in the pool,” Thibodeau said. “He can ride a bike and do things like that. But it’s very low impact.”
Robinson emerged as an All-Defensive candidate in 21 games before the injury and led the league in offensive boards. Isaiah Hartenstein, who replaced him against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, averaged career highs in rebounds (8.8) and minutes played (25.6).
The Knicks also used Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims to compensate for Robinson’s absence. Sims was absent Tuesday due to illness.
Immediately after Robinson’s surgery, the Knicks requested a disabled player exception, indicating they were concerned that Robinson would miss the season. However, officials said the Knicks are conducting the appropriate tests and medical reports from the NBA indicate he could return this season.
Jacob Toppin, who has played just four total minutes this season, will represent the Knicks in the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend, officials confirmed.
Toppin, who is on a two-way contract, is the younger brother of Obi, who won the contest as a member of the Knicks in 2022.
Obi was traded to the Pacers in the summer, and Jacob spent most of this season with the Knicks’ G League team in Westchester.
Thibodeau said little about the injury to OG Anunoby, who missed his fifth consecutive game Tuesday due to elbow inflammation.
“Just trust the medical science,” the coach said. “When they clear them, they clear them.”
Thibodeau said Anunoby did not participate in shootarounds, but added that he did not know the specific injury that sidelined the forward, as the inflammation is just a symptom.
“Again, this is all medical,” he said.
Does Thibodeau expect Anunoby to be out for a long time?
“I’m not sure.”
Anunoby, 26, hasn’t played in a 70-game season since his rookie season in 2017-18. He has already missed 10 games this season.
