Mitchell Robinson News Emerges on Thursday

"Mitchell Robinson was a full participant in practice today," he reported. However, head coach Mike Brown said the veteran will be a game-time decision on Friday, per Bondy.

McBride also rejoined the Knicks in Chicago, per Bondy. If both players play against the Bulls, it could be the first time the team has had its full roster available this season. Forward Guerschon Yabusele (knee) is day to day after missing the Bucks game, via ESPN.

Knicks Being Cautious With Mitchell Robinson

New York is doing all it can to preserve the 27-year-old Robinson, as he hasn't played 65 regular-season games since 2021-22. The top priority is to keep him healthy for the playoffs, as he could be the difference between the team winning the championship or not.

For example, Robinson gave the Boston Celtics fits in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla directed his team to intentionally foul the 7-footer several times throughout the series to throw him off his rhythm and pressure him to make free throws, which is his weakness. The former NBA champion explained the strategy after Game 2, via SNY.

"He was a plus-19, all their starters were in the negative," Mazzulla said.

Robinson is a career 52.2% free-throw shooter, so Mazzulla tried to force him off the floor by having him continually miss from the charity stripe. However, that didn't work, as the Knicks won the series and made their first conference finals appearance in 25 years.

Robinson continued contributing against the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, averaging 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and one steal in 24.7 minutes per game. The 2018 second-round pick's rim protection and rebounding are essential to New York's championship mission, which is why they may let him rest intermittently throughout the next few months.

The Knicks will play the Bulls at 8 p.m. ET on Friday in the first game of their NBA Cup slate.