Former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts after scoring against the Celtics
Former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson reacts after scoring against the Celtics
The Knicks will barely have time to finish celebrating their championship before seeing Mitchell Robinson in a Celtics uniform.
The NBA confirmed New York will visit Boston on October 23 at 7 p.m. ET, three days after banner night at Madison Square Garden. The game opens Prime Video’s Friday night schedule and gives Robinson an immediate meeting with his former team.
Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Celtics in July. He spent eight seasons in New York and won a title on his way out. Now his first meaningful game in Boston comes against the teammates he left behind.
Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 60 regular-season games last year. During the title run, he gave the Knicks 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 13.9 minutes per game.
Former Knicks center Mitchell Robinson contests a layup by Celtics guard Payton Pritchard
Mitchell Robinson contests Payton Pritchard at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks get an immediate look at Mitchell Robinson
Andre Drummond can cover reserve center minutes, but he does not move or recover like Robinson. The Knicks will have to rebound as a group and protect Karl-Anthony Towns from taking every physical center assignment.
Boston knows exactly where to test that. Robinson can screen, dive and live around the rim without needing the ball. His offensive rebounds can turn one good defensive possession into another 20 seconds of work.
New York has already discussed the problem since Robinson joined Boston. Seeing him on the other side in the second game of the season will make it much less theoretical.
I wanted the first rematch on a national stage, and the NBA put it in the right place. Boston gets the home crowd, Robinson gets his first game against New York, and the Knicks get a real test immediately after the ring ceremony.
The matchup gives New York an early answer about its new center rotation. If Drummond and Towns can handle Robinson without constant help, the offseason concern looks smaller. If they cannot, Boston has found a direct way to attack the champion.
A title-winning center crossed the division and joined the Knicks’ oldest rival. Three days into the season, both teams will have to show what the move changed.