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MIAMI — The only thing stopping Mitchell Robinson was the minutes restriction.
It was another encouraging performance Sunday from the backup center in his return from ankle surgery, as Robinson ignited the pro-Knicks crowd in Miami with a couple hustle plays during a pivotal third-quarter run of a 116-112 victory.
Robinson, who hadn’t played in about 10 months before returning last week, dove on the court twice for loose balls against the Heat.
He also converted a putback and finished with two offensive rebounds in 13 minutes.
“It’s coming along. Just taking time. First game, as y’all saw, tired as hell. Second game, not so much. But still a little bit,” Robinson said. “That’s what’s going to happen when you miss 10 months playing ball.”
What about diving for loose balls on that surgically repaired ankle?
“Get back to used what I’ve been doing. I’ve been doing that for a while. Not afraid to get down and dirty. Sometimes you got to do it,” he said.
Still, Robinson was pulled early in the fourth quarter because of the minutes restrictions as he prioritizes long-term health.
He was reinserted for a couple defensive possessions down the stretch.
Robinson had said the limit is 18 minutes, but the Knicks have cut him off at about 12 in each of the first two games.
“I think each week it goes up more and more,” he said. “It is [frustrating] because it’s hard to get a rhythm.”
Robinson’s return has also pushed Precious Achiuwa out of the rotation. Achiuwa logged his first healthy DNP of the season on Sunday, two nights after he totaled just four minutes against Memphis.
The Knicks waived Matt Ryan and Jacob Toppin, their pair of two-way contracts, setting the stage for more roster moves to reinforce the end of the bench.
They now have a regular roster spot and two two-way slots to potentially fill.
According to sources, they’ve had contact with at least two G-League prospects — veteran wing TJ Warren and center Moses Brown — about a potential call-up, but there were no commitments to either as of Friday.
Ryan played 19 games with the Knicks this season, averaging 1.5 points on 32 percent shooting. He was signed in November as a potential rotation piece but never took hold.
“I thought he did a really good job for us. Hard worker,” Tom Thibodeau said. “You’re always looking at ways to improve the team. [Team president Leon Rose] and his staff, that’s what they do. And then we’re obviously very pleased with him and wish him well.”
