The New York Knicks will be without starting center Mitchell Robinson for the next few months. After initially being ruled out for tonight’s game versus Toronto due to inflammation in his left ankle earlier this morning, the Knicks announced that Robinson would be out at least 8-to-10 weeks. Robinson will now undergo surgery on his left ankle and will be re-evaluated in eight-to-10 weeks, the team announced today. According to the Knicks, the operation will be performed this week at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Mitchell Robinson will have left ankle surgery this week at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He will be re-evaluated in 8-10 weeks.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) December 11, 2023
NBA Rumors: Knicks Suffer Huge Injury Loss, Ja Morant, Gabe Vincent, & Bam Adebayo
Robinson injured the ankle in the first half of Friday’s game versus Boston. He had an X-ray and could return for five minutes in the third quarter before being pulled from the game.
The loss of Robinson is a huge blow. While Robinson is very limited offensively, the 25-year-old is a force on the glass, particularly on the offensive end, anchors the Knicks’ defense. He averaged 6.2 points. 10.3 caroms and 1.0 blocks in 29.2 minutes while shooting 59.2% from the field.
Injuries have plagued Robinson throughout his career. As the New York Post’s Mark W. Sanchez pointed out, he has managed to play 72 games only once in his six years in the NBA. He was limited to 59 appearances last season, missing two and a half weeks with a knee injury in November and then undergoing surgery on a fractured right thumb in January, which kept him out for 14 games.
Jericho Sims picked up the start at center in place of Robinson tonight. Sims, who has appeared in nine contests this season, has made 21 previous starts in his career.
Jericho Sims is starting for the Knicks, according to a source.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) December 12, 2023
While Sims received the start, Isaiah Hartensttein and Julius Randle will see time at the 5.
In other Knicks news, Jalen Brunson was in the starting lineup tonight. Brunson suffered an ankle sprain late in Friday’s game and limped off the court. However, he was able to practice on Sunday and was given the green light for the game.
While Brunson was able to give it a go, Immanuel Quickley was not. Quickley was ruled out due to right knee inflammation,
Knicks say Immanuel Quickley (right knee inflammation) is out tonight.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 11, 2023
Other Tidbits
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent may be out just a week more as he is dealing with a left knee effusion. Vincent, who has appeared in just four games this season, could return to the court following Monday against the Knicks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Charania also said that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, who is slated to come off the NBA suspended list next week, “looks good” during practice. Over the weekend, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that Morant “has complied with everything he’s been asked to do.” Silver and Morant are slated to have another meeting this week. Morant could be cleared to return as early as December 19 for a game at New Orleans.
Miami center Bam Adebayo missed his fourth straight game tonight due to a hip contusion. However, he was able to participate in the Heat’s shootaround this morning.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards missed his third game of the season due to a hip pointer. Edwards, considered initially questionable against New Orleans tonight, was forced out of the Wolves’ Friday game after just four minutes. Edwards has been bothered by the injury since the end of November. His next chance to play will be against Dallas on Thursday.
