The New York Knicks ' run to the playoffs has been beset by countless injuries, a trend that began in December when Mitchell Robinson was lost to an ankle injury.
He was initially expected to miss the rest of the regular season after having surgery on his ankle, but ESPN's Brian Windhorst offered a positive update on Tuesday's edition of "NBA Today."
"Mitchell Robinson should be back before the end of the month," Windhorst said. "We’re still waiting on Julius Randle but they’re only going to get better as long as they can get healthy and look where they are. They’re in fourth with a shot at the second seed."
Robinson was averaging just over six points and a career-high 10 rebounds per game prior to his injury and was also making a case for All-Defensive Team honors with 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. A pure center like Robinson, the longest-tenured Knick, could prove to be a valuable x-factor come playoff time. In the wake of Isaiah Hartestein's effort in taking over his starting five spot, Robinson recently hinted that he'd be comfortable coming off the bench if and when he's ready to return.
Robinson is one of several Knicks regulars fighting injuries: there's still no timetable on Randle while OG Anunoby is set to miss more time thanks to a flare up of his elbow injury that previously kept him out 18 games. But, if and when the team returns to full strength, there's no denying they'll be one of the Eastern Conference's deepest and most dangerous contenders.
Sans Robinson, the Knicks will be back in action on Thursday against Nikola Jokić and the defending champion Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena (9 p.m. ET, MSG).
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