Report: Knicks optimistic Mitchell Robinson (ankle) can return

The New York Knicks have hopes that center Mitchell Robinson could return before the end of the regular season, with the NBA also denying the team's $7.8 million disabled player exception, ESPN reported.

Robinson was potentially lost for the season when he went down with an ankle injury Dec. 8 and needed surgery. Reports indicated that the defensive-minded big man was not expected to return.

But with the Knicks playing well behind some inspired play from backup big man Isaiah Hartenstein, there is the possibility that New York could still be playoff-bound, with Robinson possibly playing a role late in the season.

The Knicks will enter Thursday's road game against the Dallas Mavericks on a five-game winning streak that has helped them to a 9-7 record without Robinson, who had averaged 6.2 points and 10.3 rebounds in 21 games.

Hartenstein, 25, has averaged 6.6 points with 7.7 rebounds in 37 games (11 starts) this season. Over the past 13 games (11 starts), Hartenstein has scored 8.2 points per game with 11.3 rebounds.

The Knicks' recent surge has come in the wake of a trade with the Toronto Raptors when they acquired OG Anunoby, while sending RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto.