The New York Knicks could welcome back their star big man this weekend.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is expected to return to the Knicks during their weekend matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
ESPN’s Shams Charania shared via X.
“New York’s Mitchell Robinson has been upgraded to questionable to play and will make his Knicks season debut as early as Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN. Robinson plans to return during the team’s trip in Memphis and Miami on Sunday,” wrote Charania.
New York’s Mitchell Robinson has been upgraded to questionable to play and will make his Knicks season debut as early as Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN. Robinson plans to return during team’s trip in Memphis and Miami on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ydOFKJWxga
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 27, 2025
Robinson has been sidelined since Game 1 of the Knicks’ second-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers last season due to a foot injury.
The veteran big man underwent surgery to repair a foot injury this past offseason. His timeline for a return has been very vague up until the past few days. New York has been super cautious with their big man, who has struggled to stay healthy throughout his entire career.
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
New York wanted to ensure that he is as close to 100 percent as possible to prevent him from missing any more time.
Robinson has been progressing well in practice after being cleared for contact at the beginning of the month.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Robinson “did a lot” in Tuesday’s practice. Robinson said on social media earlier this week that he’s “very close” to coming back and that will be the case this weekend.
Nonetheless, the Knicks will play it by ear, depending on how he’s feeling after workouts.
However, it appears that Robinson is back to normal after the media caught up with guard Cameron Payne.
“He blocked my shot today, I was a little upset,” Payne told reporters Tuesday. “I’m like, ‘Man, I normally get that.’ He was like, ‘Nah, I’m back!'”
The Knicks have been able to keep their head above water without Robinson and then some thus far this season. More than halfway through the season, the Knicks are 38-20 and are the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Their offense has been no issue this season, but their defense, which ranks 20th in the league, has not been up to par. The addition of Robinson could do wonders for them on that part.
The Knicks will look to make a deep playoff run and potentially play in their first conference finals since 2000.
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