CHICAGO — Mitchell Robinson offered no clarity or explanation for his four-game absence to start the season, instead raising questions about the confusing fiscal management plan.
“I’m not telling you anything,” Robinson said Friday in his first comments since his three-week hiatus for what the Knicks called “left ankle injury load management.”
Pressed by a few follow-ups, Robinson said his missed games were “part of the plan,” but he doesn’t know if that will be in effect all season.
“I don’t know,” Robinson said.
Robinson logged minutes in the first three preseason games but was mysteriously shut down until he was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game against the Bulls.
Coach Mike Brown has insisted that Robinson was never re-injured and that his DNPs were part of a load management plan, even though it defies logic to play in the preseason and miss games that actually matter.
Robinson also denied there was any misadventure.
“No, it’s part of the plan,” Robinson said.
However, the details of that ‘plan’ are not shared or explained. Brown stated that it is dictated by the medical staff. Robinson said he was involved.
“Of course,” Robinson said.
What does he think about it?
“Going with the flow.”
Robinson underwent a second surgery on his ankle in May 2024 and missed all but 17 games last season. He returned with the stated goal of preserving his long-term health and will likely become an unrestricted free agent next summer as there appears to be no traction on an extension.
Given his history and his plan to accumulate healthy DNPs, Robinson cannot be relied on as a regular contributor.
Still, he was on track to become the starting center and was instrumental in the Knicks’ hopes of winning a championship.
“It was stressful, stressful to watch,” Robinson said. “We are now missing what I bring a lot to the table.”
Robinson’s game — he’s a rebounding and defensive specialist who doesn’t get any offensive opportunities beyond dunks or free throws — wouldn’t need a rhythm to recapture. But once he returns, the big questions are: “For how long?” and, “Is the conditioning good enough for Brown’s system?”
“[The running] I’ll be a bear at first, but I’ll keep working and keep pushing myself,” Robinson said
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