The New York Knicks crushed the Toronto Raptors when they met at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday evening. The team overwhelmed the Raptors to retain their position in the Eastern Conference table.
However, the overwhelming victory is only one of the most compelling storylines for Knicks fans during this game. Some might even consider the return of one of their most important contributors to be the bigger victory the Knicks got as they prepare for postseason play.
While he didn’t get plenty of minutes during his first game back, the fact that he’s slowly getting back into the Knicks rotation is something Knicks fans will find worth celebrating.
Mitchell Robinson played limited minutes during the New York Knicks’ win over the Toronto Raptors
Mitchell Robinson’s return to the Knicks had to be done carefully after returning from a 50-game absence due to his ankle. He only played 12-and-a-half minutes of game time as he works to get himself back into game shape.
His time on the floor was productive enough as he managed to get some of the rust off. He made all of his shot attempts and half of his free throws to finish with eight points. He also made is presence down low known with two rebounds and two rejections.
The team was just happy to get him back, and the players were direct with their joy, as reported by All Knicks’ Geoff Magliocchetti:
“Isaiah (Hartenstein) has done great all year. Jericho (Sims) stepped in. Precious (Achiuwa) stepped in. But having Mitch back there as a defensive anchor, it’s huge for us,” Miles McBride, another stellar substitute, said of Robinson, per Fred Katz of The Athletic. “Especially as a defensive-minded guard, just knowing I have somebody back there that can protect the rim, then offensive rebounding, that speaks for itself, just the way he’s able to go after the ball (is great).”
“It was great just to have him out there, just to have him happy,” Donte DiVincenzo added in a report from ESPN. “Just his spirit, it really is contagious for us, not to mention what he brings on the defensive end.”
Robinson hasn’t had a full NBA season in his career, but he’s established himself as a reliable interior presence. This season, he’s averaged 6.3 points, 9.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks a game.
If he continues producing those kinds of numbers for the New York Knicks, it wouldn’t be strange to see them make a deep playoff run.
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