Mitchell Robinson’s recovery is on pace to start on-court shooting soon after the All-Star break, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau revealed Tuesday in the primary official update on the starting center.
Robinson has been out since undergoing ankle surgery in mid-December.
“We’re more than happy with how he’s coming along,” Thibodeau said before the Knicks’ 123-113 win over the Grizzlies on the Garden. “In order that’s a positive.”
It’s a positive update considering there have been fears Robinson could be out your complete season together with his fractured ankle.
Still, there’s a giant difference between starting on-court work and returning to actual games.
Thibodeau laid out the method, with no real timetable for every step.
“You do the rehab part, you’re within the pool, you’re on the [anti-gravity treadmill], you’re lifting, doing that kind of thing,” the coach said. “Then they’ll clear him to get on the court with form shooting, that kind of thing. Then they’ll progress to the running part, the jumping part, then you definately start off one-on-zero, then one-on-one, then two-on-two, so there’s a progression to it, to where you get to the five-on-five and then you definately’re cleared for practice.”
Robinson continues to be waiting for clearance to get on the court, although Thibodeau said the 25-year-old is already doing “some shooting.”
“But it surely’s limited,” Thibodeau said. “We have now to go step-by-step. Just follow the medical protocol until he’s cleared to begin running.”
A key with Robinson is keeping his weight down before attempting to transition his body into game shape.
“And that’s why you’re putting him within the pool,” Thibodeau said. “He can get on the bike, he can do those things. But it surely’s very low impact.”
Robinson emerged as an All-Defense candidate in his 21 games before the injury while leading the league in offensive boards. He was replaced aptly by Isaiah Hartenstein, who entered Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies averaging profession highs in rebounds (8.8) and minutes (25.6).
The Knicks have also used Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims to compensate for Robinson’s absence. Sims missed Tuesday with an illness.
Soon after Robinson’s surgery, the Knicks applied for a Disabled Player’s Exception — a sign they were nervous he’d miss the season. Nevertheless, a source said the Knicks were doing their due diligence and the medical report from the NBA showed he could return this season.
Jacob Toppin, who has played just 4 total minutes this season, will represent the Knicks on the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend, a source confirmed.
Toppin, who’s on a two-way deal, is the brother of Obi, who won the competition as a member of the Knicks in 2022.
Obi was traded to the Pacers in the summertime and Jacob has spent most of this season with the Knicks’ G-League squad in Westchester.
Thibodeau had little or no to say in regards to the injury to OG Anunoby, who missed his fifth straight game Tuesday due to inflammation in his elbow.
“Just trust medical,” the coach said. “After they clear them, they clear them.”
Thibodeau added that Anunoby hasn’t been participating in shootarounds but he doesn’t know the precise injury that’s sidelining the forward, since inflammation is just a symptom.
“Again, it’s all medical,” he said.
Does Thibodeau expect Anunoby to be out longer?
“I’m unsure.”
Anunoby, 26, hasn’t played 70 games in a season since he was a rookie in 2017-18. He has already missed 10 games this season.
