Because the clock nears zero on the one public timeline supplied by the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson’s restoration, Tom Thibodeau revealed for the primary time that the middle has been “running, jumping — doing all that stuff” however continues to be awaiting clearance for contact.
Twice beforehand, Thibodeau stated he anticipated Robinson can be again practising in January.
“I think there’s two days left so we’re hopeful,” a smiling Thibodeau stated earlier than Wednesday’s recreation towards the Nuggets.
Requested if it have been critically nonetheless an possibility for Robinson to apply within the following two days, Thibodeau deflected whereas preaching persistence.
“Look, he’s doing well, really well,” the coach stated. “I’m trusting the medical people. When he’s cleared, he’s cleared. We’re not gonna rush it, we’re gonna be patient. We’re just gonna take it step by step. Whether it’s this week, next week, the week after — wherever it falls, it falls. But we want him completely healthy before we can put him back out there.”
Robinson’s left ankle harm and restoration have been cloaked in thriller.
It’s been over a yr of confusion, which isn’t helped by staff president Leon Rose by no means speaking publicly and Robinson solely giving cryptic updates on social media.
Robinson’s first surgical procedure was in December 2024.
The timeline supplied was 8-to-10 weeks earlier than a reevaluation. He was out about three months and 50 video games earlier than reinjuring the ankle within the playoffs.
The second surgical procedure in Might was initially described as minor. He was imagined to be prepared for the beginning of the season.
After he wasn’t, there was by no means a proof as to why.
The preliminary reviews of a December or January return didn’t maintain up (the Knicks’ subsequent recreation isn’t till Feb. 1).
Nonetheless, Thibodeau was speaking Wednesday like he was not solely anticipating Robinson to return, but additionally with a plan for his integration after such an extended layoff.
“Obviously, we’re almost 50 games into it, so we have a pattern, rotation that we’re using. We know that there’s going to be an adjustment period coming back and whatever he could give us,” Thibodeau stated. “Obviously, he’s not going to be playing starter’s minutes. He’s got to get acclimated to playing again. So whatever medical says, how he feels, there will be a ramp-up and we’ll go from there. We’re excited for whenever he does come back.”
Importantly, Robinson has dropped weight — claiming lately he was right down to 265 kilos — which ought to alleviate stress on his two surgically repaired toes (three years previous to the surgical procedure on his left ankle, he had surgical procedure to restore a fracture in his proper foot).
Both method, Robinson is the important thing to the Feb. 6 commerce deadline for the Knicks.
After exhausting most of their belongings in offseason strikes and elevating above the primary apron, the Knicks might be hard-pressed to considerably enhance the roster in a commerce.
Robinson might be their finest addition, if he’s wholesome. Or, he might be their automobile to a commerce by way of his $14.3 million wage.
A one-for-one commerce involving Robinson and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, for example, works inside the CBA parameters.
If Robinson performs once more for the Knicks this season, the belief, as Thibodeau indicated, is he’d come off the bench and supply the staff with much-needed middle depth.
Valuable Achiuwa, a pure energy ahead, has been the one frontcourt rotational reserve.
The three different reserves within the rotation have been all guards — Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Cam Payne — as Thibodeau runs hot-and-cold with middle Jericho Sims.
“One way or another — whether it’s with Mitch or with a trade — they’re going to upgrade their frontcourt,” a league supply stated.
