On Sunday, former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson shared how he injured his hand just before the NBA Finals, revealing that he hit his brother with his truck after hearing about his car accident.
Robinson, who recently signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Celtics after helping the Knicks secure their first NBA championship in over five decades, fractured the fifth metacarpal in his right hand and underwent surgery following the team’s victory over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Despite the injury, he didn’t miss any games and played in the finals with his hands bandaged.
The 28-year-old explained the circumstances around his injury in a Facebook post.
“I want to talk about my fingers—actually, my knuckles,” Robinson began. “I was experiencing personal issues, relationship struggles, and some internal conflicts that affected my gameplay. I do my best to follow directions in this league. You’ve seen my skills. After triumphing in Cleveland and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, it felt like everything was going well. But then things took a turn for me.”
“As many of you know, I’m a private person who enjoys country music. I won’t delve into my background, but I deeply care for my brothers. Upon returning to New York, I received a surprising call from my family, informing me that my youngest brother had been in a car accident. I didn’t notice the message until that evening when I got home. As the oldest brother, I panicked and tried to reach him. When I FaceTimed, he was in a neck brace and unresponsive.”
“I broke down in tears, feeling like I had failed to protect my brothers. Being 910 miles away, I felt utterly helpless. In a moment of frustration, I hit my hand against the truck. I have a real love for trucks, no doubt about that, but my priority has always been my brother and my daughter. It’s crucial to understand people’s situations before passing judgment. Life is unpredictable, and how we deal with challenges is what matters.”
“Consulting with my doctor encouraged me to stay focused and work toward the 2026 NBA Championship. I made significant sacrifices this season, including not seeing my daughter, as I wanted to ensure a better future for her.”
Even though Robinson faced challenges, like the Spurs deploying a hack-a-Mitch strategy against him due to his free throw struggles, he still managed to contribute on the court.
In a crucial moment during Game 2, he defended Victor Wembanyama on a critical missed shot, helping the Knicks to a 2-0 lead in the series.
Meanwhile, Knicks owner James Dolan was hesitant about exceeding budget limits, making it difficult to retain Robinson, as the team looks to compete against the Celtics.
