The New York Knicks announced on Thursday that center Mitchell Robinson had successful surgery to repair a fractured right thumb that occurred on Wednesday’s loss to the Washington Wizards. The team also announced that he will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Robinson left the game after suffering the injury early in the second quarter on Wednesday and was soon ruled out shortly after.
Robinson tallied two rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in approximately nine minutes of action on Wednesday prior to the injury.
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The Knicks losing Mitchell Robinson is significant:
Robinson going down is a huge loss for the Knicks, as he was instrumental in the team’s second chance scoring and rebounding. Robinson leads all Eastern Conference players in offensive rebounds per game at 4.3, and the Knicks lead the NBA in second-chance points per game at 17.9.
With Robinson out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, Isaiah Hartenstein will likely become the new starting enter, and Jericho Sims will re-enter the rotation as the backup.
The injury could also impact how the Knicks approach the trade deadline, as they might pivot towards acquiring a big man to fill in the gap left by Robinson.
The Knicks now will have to adapt to life without their most impactful big as they face a grueling stretch ahead that includes juggernauts in the Cavs, Celtics, Nets, Heat, and 76ers.
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