TORONTO — The Knicks have had their center spot firmly in place over the past few months, with Isaiah Hartenstein continuing to make the case to remain the starter even as Mitchell Robinson’s return looms.
Wednesday night’s game against the Raptors will mark Robinson’s 51st consecutive game absence since suffering an ankle injury that required surgery on Dec. 8.
This will delay Tom Thibodeau’s pending decision on whether Robinson immediately regains the starting role or whether Hartenstein continues to open the season in his place, at least one more game.
Precious Achiuwa also acquitted himself with 16 rebounds off the bench in Monday’s blowout win over the Pistons while Robinson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby were out with injuries.
“I think that’s why our season was so fun,” Hartenstein said after the game. “When you think about how many guys we played against, everyone stepped up and played together.
“If we hadn’t played together like we did, I don’t think we would be in the situation we are in now. It’s just that everyone plays together and everyone is unselfish, and that’s what makes this team what it is. I think there is.”
Robinson, 25, has been practicing with the Knicks for the past week, and Thibodeau said before Monday’s win that Mitchell is doing pretty well and “just needs a little more time.”
The Knicks were 12-9 when Robinson was injured, but have gone 31-19 since then.
With a record of 43 wins and 28 losses, they are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs, half a game behind the third-place Cavaliers, with Randle (shoulder) and Anunoby (elbow) also expected to return before the end of the season. I’m here. The regular season begins on April 14th.
After Wednesday’s matchup with the Raptors, who will be without former Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks will have 10 games left before the postseason begins.
At the time of the injury, Robinson led the NBA in offensive rebounds with 5.3 per game, and his 10.3 rebounds per game overall was a career high.
Robinson, who is in the second season of a four-year contract worth $60 million, will also miss significant amounts of both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons after undergoing foot and hand surgery.
It will be interesting to see how Thibodeau determines his minutes and pecking order at center heading into the playoffs as Robinson tries to get back into the game.
Hartenstein filled in Robinson’s absence competently, starting 39 games and averaging 8.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
The recently-pending free agent has also been on a minutes restriction, averaging 22.8 minutes in 15 appearances since the All-Star break as he deals with a lingering Achilles injury.
In fact, Hartenstein logged 15 minutes, 39 seconds in the first half in Monday’s loss to the Pistons, so his limitations may be starting to ease. However, with the result almost decided, Hartenstein was able to finish the game at 24:14, just eight minutes after halftime.
Hartenstein, 25, is also a good passing option out of the post, dishing out 2.9 assists per game as a starter, including five on Monday night against Detroit.
“I think with Isaiah, for our team, they know that if they cut, if they’re open, he’s going to hit,” Thibodeau said. “So the harder you cut, the more open shots you’re going to get.
“We are all working together to do our best.”
Interestingly, Hartenstein (107.5) and Robinson (107.9) also have essentially the same defensive rating this season. This metric measures the points allowed per his 100 possessions for each player on the floor.
“It’s an all-around effort. So I think it starts with Thibs,” Hartenstein said Monday when asked about the team’s defensive play. “I think Thisbus does a great job before every game. I think we’re the most prepared team for every game, so it kind of starts from there.”
“And I think that’s what shapes us, just us playing hard every game.”
