Because the clock nears zero on the one public timeline supplied by the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson’s restoration, Tom Thibodeau revealed for the primary time that the middle has been “operating, leaping — doing all that stuff” however remains to be awaiting clearance for contact.
Twice beforehand, Thibodeau stated he anticipated Robinson can be again working towards in January.
“I believe there’s two days left so we’re hopeful,” a smiling Thibodeau stated earlier than Wednesday’s recreation towards the Nuggets.
Requested if it have been severely nonetheless an possibility for Robinson to apply within the following two days, Thibodeau deflected whereas preaching endurance.
“Look, he’s doing properly, very well,” the coach stated. “I’m trusting the medical folks. When he’s cleared, he’s cleared. We’re not gonna rush it, we’re gonna be affected person. We’re simply gonna take it step-by-step. Whether or not it’s this week, subsequent week, the week after — wherever it falls, it falls. However we wish him fully wholesome earlier than we will put him again on the market.”
Robinson’s left ankle harm and restoration have been cloaked in thriller.
It’s been over a yr of confusion, which isn’t helped by crew president Leon Rose by no means speaking publicly and Robinson solely giving cryptic updates on social media.
Robinson’s first surgical procedure was in December 2024.
The timeline supplied was 8-to-10 weeks earlier than a reevaluation. He was out about three months and 50 video games earlier than reinjuring the ankle within the playoffs.
The second surgical procedure in Might was initially described as minor. He was speculated to be prepared for the beginning of the season.
After he wasn’t, there was by no means an evidence as to why.
The preliminary studies of a December or January return didn’t maintain up (the Knicks’ subsequent recreation isn’t till Feb. 1).
Nonetheless, Thibodeau was speaking Wednesday like he was not solely anticipating Robinson to return, but in addition with a plan for his integration after such an extended layoff.
“Clearly, we’re virtually 50 video games into it, so now we have a sample, rotation that we’re utilizing. We all know that there’s going to be an adjustment interval coming again and no matter he might give us,” Thibodeau stated. “Clearly, he’s not going to be taking part in starter’s minutes. He’s obtained to get acclimated to taking part in once more. So no matter medical says, how he feels, there shall be a ramp-up and we’ll go from there. We’re excited for each time he does come again.”
Importantly, Robinson has dropped weight — claiming just lately he was all the way down to 265 kilos — which ought to alleviate stress on his two surgically repaired toes (three years previous to the surgical procedure on his left ankle, he had surgical procedure to restore a fracture in his proper foot).
Both approach, Robinson is the important thing to the Feb. 6 commerce deadline for the Knicks.
After exhausting most of their property in offseason strikes and elevating above the primary apron, the Knicks shall be hard-pressed to considerably enhance the roster in a commerce.
Robinson could possibly be their finest addition, if he’s wholesome. Or, he could possibly be their automobile to a commerce by way of his $14.3 million wage.
A one-for-one commerce involving Robinson and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, as an example, works throughout the CBA parameters.
If Robinson performs once more for the Knicks this season, the idea, as Thibodeau indicated, is he’d come off the bench and supply the crew with much-needed heart depth.
Treasured Achiuwa, a pure energy ahead, has been the one frontcourt rotational reserve.
The three different reserves within the rotation have been all guards — Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Cam Payne — as Thibodeau runs hot-and-cold with heart Jericho Sims.
“A technique or one other — whether or not it’s with Mitch or with a commerce — they’re going to improve their frontcourt,” a league supply stated.