CHICAGO – The Knicks are approaching full strength.
After missing the past two games due to a death in the family, Miles McBride rejoined the team in Chicago and is expected to play in Friday’s game against the Bulls.
Mitchell Robinson, who is struggling with a vulnerable ankle, practiced on Thursday – his first full participation since the start of the regular season – and was able to make his debut.
According to coach Mike Brown, Robinson is a game-time decision for Friday. And while the center’s availability will likely remain a persistent story this season, Brown understands the potential.
“Mitch brings a lot to the table. Obviously he hasn’t played in a while either. So he probably won’t be Mitch Robinson for the next five games regardless of when he plays or how much he plays,” Brown said. “But his length, his versatility, in terms of his ability to guard one through five, his ability to rebound offensively and defensively, he just brings a lot to both ends of the court. You get a vertical threat offensively and an anchor defensively, which is difficult to replace because he’s a special player at that position.”
Robinson had not played or practiced since the third preseason game, when he was mysteriously ruled out due to “left ankle injury management.” Brown has insisted there was no actual injury – just a load management plan for an ankle that required surgery almost 18 months ago – and that’s hard to believe since he logged three preseason games before the three-week break.
Regardless of the reason, there is momentum toward his return. According to a source, Robinson also took part in the morning shootaround before Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee.
“He looks good,” Brown said.
Without Robinson, Brown has alternated between starting Ariel Hukporti – the youngster whose inexperience was evident – and moving Karl-Anthony Towns to center.
Overall, the defense was better than the offense for the Knicks (2-2), who lost two straight while McBride was home in Ohio to be with family.
“I love those guys [on my team] but I needed to be with my family,” McBride said. “Honestly, just hard on the family, but that’s part of life.”
McBride was one of the top performers in the preseason and two regular season games, which fit well with Brown’s fast-paced offense as the Knicks’ most athletic player. The team missed him.
Without McBride, the bench managed just 18 combined points in a loss to the Bucks and just 21 in a loss to the Heat.
“He does a lot of things on both ends of the floor,” Brown said. “His energy is contagious, he’s a two-way player. He can play on the ball, he can play defensively off the ball. He can play offensively with the ball or off the ball. Even though he’s a small guard, his athleticism and strength clearly make him a good offensive rebounder. He can also rebound defensively. So besides scoring, he can bring a lot to the table that you miss when he’s not there.”
The Knicks will need that energy against the Bulls (4-0), who are averaging nearly 120 points behind a great start from Josh Giddey. In their two losses, the Knicks lost the second half by an average of 13.5 points.
“Keeping our foot on the gas pedal and finishing strong,” Jalen Brunson said. “We’re starting great and not finishing strong, and that’s going to be big for us, especially against a team that’s hot.”
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