Ankle injuries have ruined Mitchell Robinson’s 2024-25 season. He went down in the outfield in early December and didn’t return until March, then was lost for good in early May. Each absence saw him go under the knife.
When he first fell, the Knicks were 12-9 and tied for seventh in the East standings. By the time he returned on March 27, they had improved to 43-28 and climbed to third in the conference. They had also found a new starting center in Isaiah Hartenstein, who played well enough in Robinson’s absence to earn a three-year, $87 million deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer.
Robinson, whose length and rebounding are apparent in his finishing above the basket and his protection in the paint, wasn’t New York’s most impactful center last season. The Knicks actually managed 4.6 points per 100 possessions with him than without him, according to NBA.com. Meanwhile, Hartenstein’s presence has allowed them to score 10.2 points more per 100 possessions.
New York needs Robinson to be a difference-maker. Hartenstein is gone, and Robinson’s new backup, Precious Achiuwa, is more of a combo big who doesn’t have the size to compete with bigger centers (6’4″, 225 pounds). The Knicks need Robinson to stay on the floor and, frankly, have a bigger impact when he’s on the court. If he can’t, New York could be looking for a new big man.
