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As the clock nears zero on the only public timeline provided by the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson’s recovery, Tom Thibodeau revealed for the first time that the center has been “running, jumping — doing all that stuff” but is still awaiting clearance for contact.
Twice previously, Thibodeau said he expected Robinson would be back practicing in January.
“I think there’s two days left so we’re hopeful,” a smiling Thibodeau said before Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets.
Asked if it were seriously still an option for Robinson to practice in the following two days, Thibodeau deflected while preaching patience.
“Look, he’s doing well, really well,” the coach said. “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 injury and recovery have been cloaked in mystery.
It’s been over a year of confusion, which isn’t helped by team president Leon Rose never talking publicly and Robinson only giving cryptic updates on social media.
Robinson’s first surgery was in December 2024.
The timeline provided was 8-to-10 weeks before a reevaluation. He was out about three months and 50 games before reinjuring the ankle in the playoffs.
The second surgery in May was initially described as minor. He was supposed to be ready for the start of the season.
After he wasn’t, there was never an explanation as to why.
The initial reports of a December or January return didn’t hold up (the Knicks’ next game isn’t until Feb. 1).
Still, Thibodeau was talking Wednesday like he was not only expecting Robinson to return, but also with a plan for his integration after such a long 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 said. “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 recently he was down to 265 pounds — which should alleviate pressure on his two surgically repaired feet (three years prior to the surgery on his left ankle, he had surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot).
Either way, Robinson is the key to the Feb. 6 trade deadline for the Knicks.
After exhausting most of their assets in offseason moves and elevating above the first apron, the Knicks will be hard-pressed to substantially improve the roster in a trade.
Robinson could be their best addition, if he’s healthy. Or, he could be their vehicle to a trade via his $14.3 million salary.
A one-for-one trade involving Robinson and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, for instance, works within the CBA parameters.
If Robinson plays again for the Knicks this season, the assumption, as Thibodeau indicated, is he’d come off the bench and provide the team with much-needed center depth.
Precious Achiuwa, a natural power forward, has been the only frontcourt rotational reserve.
The three other reserves in the rotation were all guards — Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Cam Payne — as Thibodeau runs hot-and-cold with center Jericho Sims.
“One way or another — whether it’s with Mitch or with a trade — they’re going to upgrade their frontcourt,” a league source said.
