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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 11: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks gestures against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 138-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks survived a tense night against the Atlanta Hawks, winning 108-105, but the bigger story was around Mitchell Robinson.
The big man had Knicks fans holding their breath more than once, limping off the court twice in the second half, yet kept coming back to make a difference every single time he stepped on the floor.
According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, “Robinson said he just tweaked something and is fine.”
Knicks Coach Mike Brown Was the Last to Know about Robinson
Mike Brown on Mitchell Robinson
Head coach Mike Brown had an interesting take when asked about Robinson’s visible limp.
“I took him out for rest, was gonna go back to him, he wasn’t on the bench — but then he was on the bench so I went back to him, he played great,” Brown said. “But nobody’s told me anything about injuries or anything.” This raised more questions than it answered.
As reported by Steve Popper during the game, “With 1:02 left in the third Robinson hobbles to the bench and is being looked at by trainers. He took a hard fall on follow attempt.”
He then limped back to the locker room with a trainer, making the situation look far worse. But Robinson is always a dedicated player; he came back, entering the game in the fourth quarter, and swatted a three-point attempt that led to an OG Anunoby fast-break dunk.
But soon Robinson exited again at the 5:28 mark of the fourth.
Robinson’s Performance Spoke Louder Than the Concern
Although there was a moment when it looked like Robinson might have been seriously injured, he only played 20 minutes, and his numbers still spoke for themselves.
He had 8 points by making 4 of 6 shots, grabbed 12 rebounds, gave 1 assist, made 2 steals, and had 3 blocks. It’s an outstanding two-way game that reminded fans of his importance.
He scored a first-quarter dunk off a Jalen Brunson assist, added a second-quarter bucket off his own offensive rebound, and delivered the clutch tie-making tip-in late in the fourth. His two blocks in the fourth quarter alone, rejecting Onyeka Okongwu’s three-point attempt, shifted momentum at a critical moment.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Robinson’s health is everything for New York. He provides the Knicks with a rim-protecting, glass presence when Karl-Anthony Towns is out. In a series where paint protection and second-chance points can swing games, Robinson’s 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in 20 minutes tonight proved his value in the starkest terms.
The Knicks will be hoping “just tweaked something” stays exactly that and nothing more as the postseason inches closer.
The Knicks, now 51-28 on the season, will look to carry this momentum into their next game against the Celtics. Expect Jalen Brunson to keep attacking, OG Anunoby to stay aggressive from three, and the team to monitor Mitchell Robinson’s availability closely before tip-off.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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