Mitchell Robinson was back on the court Tuesday, his injured right hand heavily wrapped in black athletic tape, but the Ny Knicks still listed the reserve center as questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
That status matters now because Game 1 is set for 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and Robinson’s presence could shape New York’s frontcourt against Victor Wembanyama from the opening tip. The 7-footer has been one of the Knicks’ most useful rotation pieces this postseason, even if his impact has come in short bursts.
Robinson is recovering from a fractured right fifth metacarpal and underwent surgery to repair the break last week. He was on the court with teammates in a practice jersey at the start of Tuesday’s session and had his hand wrapped so heavily that the injury was hard to miss. He did not speak to reporters at NBA Finals Media Day on Tuesday, leaving his availability for the opener as the main question around the team.
Mike Brown said Tuesday that Robinson was able to go through individual drills before the team flew to San Antonio, a sign that the center is progressing even if the Knicks are not ready to put him fully in the lineup. Robinson has not spoken since the injury was disclosed after Game 4 of New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, when the team’s run toward the Finals accelerated and his absence became part of the calculation.
The Knicks have already had to manage his minutes carefully. Brown often used Robinson to draw quick fouls and push New York into the bonus, but his postseason production has been uneven, with 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 30.2 percent from the foul line. That helped limit his floor time against Cleveland and gives the team a built-in reason to be cautious, even if Tuesday’s practice suggested he is closer to playing than he was a week ago.
Ariel Hukporti offered the clearest view of the next-man-up mindset. “I’m always prepared, I’m always ready,” he said, a comment that fits the mood around Robinson’s uncertain status and the pressure that comes with a Finals opener. For the Ny Knicks, the answer on Wednesday will come down to whether the hand that was taped up on Tuesday is good enough for Robinson to be active when the series begins.
