Miss Free Throw, resulting from a significant airball by Mitchell Robinson, quickly gained traction on social media.
However, his overall contribution was vital, particularly in securing a narrow 91-90 victory over the Celtics in Game 2 on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Robinson’s performance has been quite the roller coaster throughout these two games.
The Celtics exploited his weaknesses by fouling him repeatedly, aiming to capitalize on his struggles at the free throw line. He’s been 11 for 3 across both games.
Despite his free throw woes, he has emerged as one of the Knicks’ key players.
“He was a plus 19. All their starters were negative,” noted Celtics coach Joe Matzula. “Robinson is impactful on both ends—he can play solo or in a double big setup. His ability to protect the rim and create extra possessions, along with his screens, opens up opportunities for others. We need to find a way to counter that.”
It seems that while Robinson’s free throws give the Celtics a strategic edge, they’re also trying to dictate how the Knicks utilize him on the floor.
When Robinson was on the court in Game 2, the Knicks outscored the Celtics by 19 points.
Miles McBride was the next closest player, at plus 9.
Throughout these games, the Knicks have outscored the Celtics by 32 points with Robinson on the floor, marking the best statistic in the series.
His versatility allows him to defend effectively against any position on the court, enabling the Knicks to employ more varied strategies—something the Celtics haven’t faced often this season.
Moreover, when he partners with Towns in a two-big-man formation, he compensates for any defensive flaws by acting as a rim protector.
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Robinson and Towns have shared the court for 9:08 in both games, during which the Knicks have outperformed the Celtics, scoring 20-4.
“His footwork is impressive,” said Thibodeau about Robinson. “Alongside his discipline, he’s learning to be a second jumper, minimizing reckless fouls. He’s tough to score on.”
While Robinson’s free throw shooting might still be a concern, he remains focused on the bigger picture.
“I know they’re trying to push me out of the game,” Robinson remarked. “But why would you want to miss out on the game?”
