Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
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Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks will continue to manage Mitchell Robinson carefully, holding the veteran center out Tuesday night against the Indiana Pacers on the front end of a back-to-back.
Robinson is expected to return Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, as the Knicks continue a season-long plan that has kept the 7-footer from playing in back-to-back games due to left ankle injury management.
“So he’ll presumably play Weds at PHI after sitting vs IND,” Begley wrote on X.
Robinson’s Minutes Dip as Knicks Manage Workload
Robinson logged just 16 minutes in Sunday’s 111–89 win over the Boston Celtics, finishing with five points and nine rebounds. It marked his fewest minutes in February and the first time he played fewer than 20 minutes since Jan. 30, when New York routed the Portland Trail Blazers 127–97.
The reduced workload reflects a broader organizational focus on health and sustainability for Robinson, who has already appeared in 38 games this season — including 14 starts — his highest total over the last three years.
Knicks’ Defense Surges With Robinson Anchoring the Paint
Despite the minutes management, Robinson’s impact has been undeniable during the Knicks’ midseason turnaround.
New York owns the NBA’s best defensive rating (100.8) over its last 10 games, winning nine of those contests. The lone loss during that stretch came in a lopsided defeat to the Eastern Conference–leading Detroit Pistons, a game New York played without Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.
Robinson has been central to that defensive surge, particularly on the glass. He ranks second in the NBA in offensive rebounds, averaging 4.6 per game, trailing only Donovan Clingan and Steven Adams (4.7).
In his eighth season with the franchise, Robinson is averaging 8.9 rebounds, 4.8 points, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 assist in just 19.8 minutes per game.
Contract Talks Loom as Free Agency Nears
Robinson’s long-term future in New York remains unresolved.
By moving Guerschon Yabusele, the Knicks created the financial flexibility needed to pursue a new deal with Robinson. The organization has until June 30 to finalize an extension before the 27-year-old enters unrestricted free agency.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in October that extension talks had begun but were not gaining traction.
“The Knicks have had some discussions about extending center Mitchell Robinson, sources say, but there hasn’t yet been traction toward a deal,” Windhorst reported at the time. “Robinson is in the last year of a contract that pays him $13 million this season.”
Robinson has largely brushed aside the negotiations publicly.
“I’m gonna come out here and play hard still regardless, whether it’s my last year or my first year,” Robinson said during training camp. “But at the same time, I’m gonna let my agent handle that part of it. I’m just gonna play basketball.”
He is represented by Wasserman agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith, who also negotiated his current four-year, $60 million deal that declines annually to an expiring $12.9 million salary.
Towns Endorses Robinson as Full-Time Starter
After New York’s double-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets, Towns made a strong endorsement of Robinson’s value.
“I don’t want to say I’m a starter and he’s a backup,” Towns said. “That’s not right. He can be a starter on any other team.”
That sentiment reflects how Robinson is viewed around the league — a factor that could complicate the Knicks’ offseason calculus.
Trade Deadline Shifts Ease Offseason Pressure
New York did receive some indirect relief at the trade deadline, with conference rivals addressing their own center needs. The Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac, while the Celtics landed Nikola Vučević, reducing potential competition for Robinson on the open market.
For now, the Knicks remain focused on the present — protecting Robinson’s health, sustaining their defensive identity, and positioning themselves for a postseason run — while the questions about his long-term future linger just beneath the surface.