Mike Brown, New York Knicks
Getty
Mike Brown, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have won their last two games after a lengthy slump.
Defense has been the difference. New York held off the Brooklyn Nets and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 on the strength of their interior defense. Mitchell Robinson has been a major reason for that success.
After the win over Philadelphia, head coach Mike Brown made it clear how valuable Robinson’s defensive presence has been.
“Our defensive player (of the game) was Mitch; he was phenomenal,” Brown said. “Even like I said on the offensive glass, but he was really good defensively. A couple of 50/50 balls, rebounded the ball really well, a couple of blocks. Big night from Mitch on the defensive side of the ball.”
Robinson played 27 minutes against the 76ers and was tasked with slowing down Joel Embiid. Embiid still finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in 36 minutes, but Robinson made him work for every basket.
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“Mitch was phenomenal.”
Mike Brown talks about Mitchell Robinson’s impact on the defensive end today:
Mitchell Robinson’s Role With the Knicks
Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks
GettyMitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks.
Robinson has had an up-and-down few seasons with New York.
Injuries have been a constant issue. He has struggled to stay on the floor consistently, which has limited his impact. When healthy, Robinson is one of the league’s better rim protectors. But staying healthy has been the problem.
The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns complicated Robinson’s situation even further. Towns took over the starting center spot, pushing Robinson to the bench. The Knicks could run a double-big lineup, but Brown has preferred a more traditional rotation with Towns anchoring the middle.
That has left Robinson in a reduced role. He is no longer the featured defensive presence he once was. Instead, he plays spot minutes and provides energy off the bench when the Knicks need a defensive boost.
Against Philadelphia, Robinson delivered exactly that. He contested shots at the rim, grabbed rebounds, and fought for loose balls. His presence altered the 76ers’ approach in the paint, even if Embiid still managed to score at a high level.
Robinson’s Defensive Impact Against Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid
GettyJoel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers.
Embiid had a massive game, but Robinson made him earn it.
The former MVP finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in 36 minutes. But he had to work through contact and contested shots all night. Robinson did not shut Embiid down completely, but he made life difficult enough that the 76ers’ offense struggled to find consistent rhythm.
After trailing 68-65 early in the third quarter, the Knicks closed the period on a 25-9 run. Robinson was in the middle of that surge. Most impressively, he held Embiid to zero points in the third quarter, completely erasing him during New York’s decisive run.
Brown’s praise for Robinson reflects the value of his effort. Embiid is one of the toughest covers in the league, and limiting him to a scoreless quarter in a close game is a win for the defense. Robinson’s ability to protect the rim, rebound, and challenge shots gave the Knicks the edge they needed to pull out the victory.
New York dominated the hustle stats. The Knicks grabbed 19 offensive rebounds compared to Philadelphia’s six and outscored the 76ers 26-4 in second-chance points. That helped the Knicks get an extra 16 shots in the game. Robinson’s energy and effort on the glass were central to that advantage.
Robinson’s Comments on His Second-Half Performance
Robinson acknowledged his slow start but credited his second-half turnaround to increased energy.
“We locked in defensively,” Robinson said after the game. “We came back into halftime to see what we were lacking, especially myself. Defensively in the first half, I ain’t do too great. But definitely in the second half came with more energy.”
That energy shift coincided with Karl-Anthony Towns exiting the game with foul trouble a couple of minutes into the third quarter. Towns was questionable before the game with back spasms and repeatedly seemed bothered by them when he played. He had 10 points and six rebounds in 16 minutes before fouling out, playing just four minutes in the second half after committing three fouls.
With Towns on the bench, Robinson checked in and changed the game. His presence altered Philadelphia’s approach in the paint and gave the Knicks the defensive anchor they needed to pull away.
Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks with 31 points and six assists in 38 minutes, praised the team’s response to Towns’ absence.
“Obviously, we want him in the game, but it’s a next-man-up mentality,” Brunson said. “We got to find a way to go out there and execute our game plan to the best of our abilities and try and extend our lead or get the lead. Continue to play with pace, play good defense, play physical and just get back to what we do.”