Memphis – Mitchell Robinson's long-awaited return was as promising as the Knicks could have imagined.
About 10 months on the shelf, Nick, the longest tendered, recorded 12 minutes on Friday night with six points and five boards in a thrilling 114-113 victory.
Robinson, who hasn't played since undergoing ankle surgery in May, was caught up in action earlier than planned due to Karl Anthony's misconduct on the town.
He responded in his first shift with a left-handed finish with a driving dunk and a post.
“You saw that, Robinson said of the dunk. “I mean, that's something we've been working on throughout the rehabilitation process. I felt comfortable doing it.”
Robinson's return coincided with the Knicks in desperate need of frontcourts and defensive help, and injuries began to pile up as the other natural centre (town) and the season approached the pole in the final quarter.
What's hoping is that Robinson will work in less than a few minutes, hoping to stay healthy for the playoffs and reach peaks.
He said his limit on Friday night was 18, but he managed 12 and ate a lot of his recently designated time for a valuable Achihua who only played four minutes against the Grizzlies.
Tom Thibodeau said he was impressed as the Knicks outscored the Grizzlies 11 points on the court with Robinson.
“I thought it was really good during the time he was out for the first game,” the coach said. “We've actually seen it. This is the next step, pick-and-roll defense, rim protection, rebound, he played a lot of good. It's really a game of space, so the more space you create, the better your attacks.”
Robinson develops chemistry with his new teammates, regaining his defensive rhythm, and, perhaps most importantly, Robinson's history, it takes less than two months to reach the level of conditioning that will keep him in court and promote health.
But it was a good start.
“I wasn't nervous,” Robinson said. “But there was the urge to go back there.”
Robinson, who has had foot and ankle issues and has undergone multiple surgeries, represents the Knicks' top rim protector and an aggressive rebounder.
Just as he and the town were teammates of the Timberwolves, his ability to play with town attached higher expectations and expectations for his return, allowing him to unlock the ceiling on much higher defensiveness.
Entering Friday, the Knicks ranked 21st and 22nd in offensive rebounds per game.
They were in the top four with offensive rebounds every game in the last three seasons.
The front office also relied on the bank for Robinson's greatest impact, believing that Robinson was on trade deadlines and that he was better than the depth pieces of the market frontcourt.
After Friday's news, Robinson's availability became more important than rookie centre Ariel Fuk Porti playing in a season where he was defeated at Meniscus.
“The impact on the defense is definitely a big time for us,” Miles McBride said. “The presence of such paint is huge. I know he's going to get his rebounds. It was tough tonight. There were a lot of 50-50 balls he's never thought of. But I know he's going to get them when he gets back into rhythm.”
According to Jalen Brunson, who called the center's locker room presence “underestimated,” Robinson's return may have another advantage. Robinson, a self-proclaimed country boy from Louisiana, tends to cheer up his mood by teasing.
The Knicks lost some of the locker room unifications at Isaiah Haltenstein and Donte Divinsenzo last season.
“We haven't made everything serious off the court,” McBride said. “When he gets to court, he's a completely different animal. So it's good to have someone a little brighter in the locker room.”
Robinson has not played since May after his second surgery on his left ankle. The first comment was that the 26-year-old would likely return to training camp. He then missed nearly three-quarters of the season.
