Knicks’ Josh Hart Lobbies For More Mitchell Robinson Minutes

Knicks forward/guard Josh Hart thinks it may not hurt to play Mitchell Robinson even more than Robinson played in Game 2, another loss to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. New York is down 0-2 as the series shifts to Indiana.

“We have to figure out ways — I think he played [29] minutes — figure out ways if he can play more,” Hart said following this 114-109 loss at Madison Square Garden, via the New York Post’s Zach Braziller. “We’re great with him on [the floor]. We all got to be willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team.”

Hart may have a point. Robinson was relentless on the glass in Game 2, played with great energy, and offered his usual dose of athleticism and size. Skill-wise, well, he’s limited and can’t really hit free throws. In one sequence, the Pacers even instituted a Hack-a-Robinson late in the fourth quarter (he line-drived home one of two).

But perhaps Braziller explained it best when the idea is more minutes for Mitchell.

“So far in this series, the Knicks have outscored the Pacers by six points when Robinson is on the floor and have been outscored by 14 when he isn’t,” he wrote.

Game 3 is Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (8 p.m., EST).

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