Mitchell Robinson Blasts Knicks Again After Ugly Loss to Hornets

The New York Knicks saw their seven-game winning streak come to an abrupt end Thursday night — and Mitchell Robinson made it clear the result exposed a deeper issue.

Following a 114-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Robinson publicly questioned the Knicks’ approach for the second time in less than a week, pointing to a recurring problem that has persisted despite the team’s recent surge.

“Don’t even matter unless we change our approach, we ain’t doing [expletive] special — keep that [expletive] up, myself included,” Robinson wrote in a comment on Knicks Fan TV’s Instagram post.

Hornets Set the Tone Early

The blunt message came after a performance in which New York struggled to match Charlotte’s energy and physicality from the opening tip.

Charlotte (39-34) snapped the Knicks’ winning streak behind a balanced offensive effort and continued its late-season push, pulling into a tie with Miami for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets have now won five straight games.

Rookie guard Kon Knueppel led the way with 26 points, knocking down six 3-pointers while adding 10 rebounds and eight assists. LaMelo Ball contributed 22 points, while Brandon Miller had 21 points and eight rebounds. Miles Bridges and Coby White each finished with 17 points as Charlotte shot 53 percent from the field.

The Hornets jumped out to a 24-14 lead as Ball scored 10 points in the first six minutes. Although Jalen Brunson kept New York within striking distance with 17 first-quarter points, Charlotte regained control late in the second quarter and built a double-digit halftime lead behind a barrage from beyond the arc.

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Knicks Struggle to Respond

New York (48-26), which could have clinched a playoff berth with a win, was unable to recover despite a late push in the fourth quarter. The Knicks cut the deficit to single digits with just over a minute remaining, but Bridges sealed the outcome with a putback dunk in the final minute.

The issues extended beyond perimeter defense. Despite having the league’s double-double leader, Karl-Anthony Towns and one of the NBA’s top offensive rebounders in Robinson, New York was thoroughly outplayed on the glass.

The Knicks were outrebounded by 19 — their largest margin of the season — and finished with just 24 total rebounds, their lowest total in 13 years, according to MSG Sports Network’s Alan Hahn. Towns was limited to just three rebounds, while Robinson managed six, including only two offensive boards, well below his 4.4 average entering the game.

Brunson finished with 26 points and 13 assists, while OG Anunoby added 17 points. But the Knicks’ defense — ranked No. 1 in the NBA since Jan. 21 entering the game — struggled throughout as Charlotte controlled both tempo and possession.

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Knicks Center’s Message Isn’t New

Robinson’s frustration reflects a recurring theme for the Knicks, particularly against teams outside the top tier of the standings.

Following a narrow 93-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets on March 20, Robinson similarly warned that New York’s approach needed to improve, especially against opponents with losing records.

“We can’t just look at their record and just say, ‘Alright, we’re gonna whip their ass,’” Robinson said, via New York Daily News, at the time. “We’ve just gotta be better altogether.”

That concern appeared to resurface in Charlotte, where the Knicks were outworked by a younger, faster team despite entering the game as one of the hottest teams in the league.

The Knicks had won seven straight games before Thursday’s loss, but all seven victories came against teams with losing records — a stretch that may have masked underlying issues Robinson has continued to point out.

The rebounding disparity underscored that concern. A team built around physicality and interior presence was dominated in one of its traditional strengths, reinforcing Robinson’s message about effort and preparation.

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Playoff Stakes Add Urgency

With the postseason approaching, the loss could serve as a warning sign for a Knicks team with aspirations of making a deep run.

New York remains in third place in the Eastern Conference, but upcoming matchups against stronger opponents will test whether the team can correct the habits Robinson has highlighted.

Charlotte, meanwhile, continues to build momentum at a critical point in the season, positioning itself as a potential first-round opponent depending on how the standings shake out.

For Robinson, the message remains straightforward.

Until the Knicks address their approach, the results — regardless of recent wins — may not reflect the level needed to contend when the stakes rise.

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo