New York Knicks Injury Report: Starter Cleared for Long-Awaited Return Tonight

Just a week after first returning to a full on-court team practice, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has now been given the green light to suit up for the team tonight against the Toronto Raptors. A source has informed Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that New York anticipates Robinson will play.

Robinson underwent an ankle surgery earlier this season and has been on the mend ever since. He hasn't played since December 8, 2023.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has indicated that he will continue to start Robinson's former backup, Isaiah Hartenstein, even if/when Robinson does return to play. Given how brittle Robinson has proven to be, this seems like the right move.

Hartenstein has been a big piece on a stellar Knicks team, which has also weathered major injury absences to its other frontcourt starters, small forward OG Anunoby and All-Star power forward Julius Randle. Across 65 games (39 starts) this year, the seven-footer is averaging 7.3 points on .632/.333/.724 shooting splits, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals a night.

Across three of the last four years, Robinson has been unavailable for 20 or more contests. In that time, the 25-year-old has missed 45 or more games twice, including this season. After 2023-24, he'll still be owed two years and $27.3 million on his current deal.

When healthy, Robinson has been a very helpful two-way force, with his defense especially being a high-value proposition. In just 21 contests this season, the seven-footer out of Western Kentucky has been logging averages of 6.2 points on 59.2% field goal shooting (unlike Isaiah Hartenstein, he doesn't even attempt three-pointers) and a miserable 36.8% free throw shooting, plus 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 0.7 assists.

As recently as Monday, Thibodeau had teased that Robinson was on the mend and aiming for a comeback soon, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

"Mitchell is moving quite well," Thibodeau said. "He's cleared for contact and all that. He's going through practices and so just needs a little more time. But he's doing really well overall."

As far as Anunoby and Randle are concerned, their timelines are a bit murkier. Anunoby is recovering from a right elbow surgery. He made a brief comeback earlier this month after missing 18 straight contests. In mid-March, he played three games before he ultimately had to sit out again. Anunoby was a partial participant in the Knicks' team shootaround on Monday. Randle has not been given the green light to take contact live.

Even with these major absences, the 43-28 Knicks are heavy favorites against the 23-49 Raptors tonight. According to The Action Network, New York is a -13.5 favorite to win this evening.