SAN ANTONIO — Apart from lacking Jalen Brunson, the Knicks had been at full energy for Wednesday’s 120-105 loss to the Spurs.
That’s as a result of Mitchell Robinson, who had been listed as questionable with “injury management,” was declared obtainable and scored 13 factors with 11 boards off the bench.
Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t rule out Robinson for Thursday in opposition to the Hornets, however the heart beforehand sat one sport of a back-to-back set earlier this month in opposition to the Lakers.
“We’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow,” Thibodeau stated of the Charlotte sport. “We’re just dealing with today, today.”
Logic suggests Robinson gained’t be thrust right into a back-to-back.
The plan with the 26-year-old, who hadn’t performed in 10 months earlier than getting back from ankle surgical procedure on the final day of February, was at all times to ramp up his conditioning and plot a course for playoff well being whereas working on a minutes restriction.
So if he performs in Charlotte, it might be stunning.
The Knicks have 4 extra back-to-back units this season, together with subsequent week in opposition to the Mavericks (Tuesday) and Clippers (Wednesday).
Thibodeau stated Robinson is working with a “guideline” of about 24 minutes and that can “probably increase some.”
In San Antonio on Wednesday, Robinson logged 17 minutes with 13 factors and 11 boards — together with a heavier dose alongside Karl-Anthony Cities in a Two Towers alignment — however the Knicks had been outrebounded general, 52-44.
“It’s something we got to work on,” Robinson stated. Clearly rebounding is a giant a part of the sport. So we didn’t rebound that properly and the pictures didn’t go in. We simply received to repair it.”
Speak about a rollercoaster.
Josh Hart went from no factors on Saturday to a historic triple-double on Monday to simply two factors on Wednesday.
The ahead, who took simply 4 pictures in 35 minutes in opposition to the Spurs, once more implored for extra teamwork.
“I think it’s a combination of the ball not falling but also we have to make it easier for each other,” he stated. “We have to playmake for each other and put ourselves in situations where we can be successful. You knew that was going to be the struggle without [Brunson]. But we have to make the game easier for each other. And I feel like we didn’t do that today.”
