The New York Knicks have announced that Center Mitchell Robinson will be out against the Celtics with a sprained right knee and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.
It is a substantial loss for the Knicks, especially on the defensive end. Robinson is one of the most outstanding interior defenders in the the entire NBA.
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Losing Mitchell Robinson is a huge defensive blow for the New York Knicks:
Robinson is most known for his superior shot-blocking ability. He currently averages the 5th most blocks per game in the entire NBA with 2.3. That number is higher than what reknown shot-blockers Rudy Gobert (1.6), Giannis Atetokounmpo (1.5), and Jarrett Allen (1.3) currently average per game.
However, shot-blocking is not the only thing that Robinson does. His presence alone, standing at a seven-feet and with a wingspan of seven-foot-four, interferes with they way that players shoot the ball. Shooting over him is a tough task, and it puts some players in an awkward position when the realize that their shot needs to have a higher arc. His presence alone is a tough loss for the team.
The next man up for the Knicks has impressed all who has seen him play. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, who the Knicks acquired in the offseason in free agency, has impressed coming off the bench. His hustle has led to good defense, and it is showing. He surprisingly is 10th in the entire NBA in blocks per game with 1.6.
Signed to a 2-year contract worth 16 million dollars, Hartenstein is shaping to be one of the bargain signings of the summer within the entire NBA. His quality performances are needed now, especially, with Robinson gone.
Filling in behind Hartenstein will be second-year forward Jericho Sims. Drafted with the 58th pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Sims’ athleticism is off the charts, allowing him to be a strong rebounder. In 18 minutes against the 76ers, he had 10 rebounds.