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Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks
Barely 24 hours after their most dramatic fourth-quarter comeback of the season, the New York Knicks will head back onto the road shorthanded.
Mitchell Robinson Ruled Out on Back-to-Back
The Knicks listed in the NBA official injury report that Mitchell Robinson will not play Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls, sitting out the second night of a back-to-back due to left ankle injury management.
Robinson has yet to appear in back-to-back games this season, a deliberate decision by the organization as it carefully monitors the health of one of its most physically impactful — and injury-prone — players.
The absence comes one night after Robinson logged a muted performance in New York’s 108–106 comeback win over the Houston Rockets, finishing with six points and four rebounds in 18 minutes. While the box score was modest, the on-court impact was more concerning: Houston outscored New York by 21 points while Robinson was on the floor, the worst plus-minus swing for either team.
Knicks Leaned on Alvarado Late
With Robinson having an off night, the Knicks rode Karl-Anthony Towns for the entire fourth quarter, save for five seconds. They flipped the game with a smaller, faster lineup powered by backup guard Jose Alvarado, erasing an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Robinson’s reduced role has become increasingly familiar. He has not exceeded 20 minutes in any of his last four games and has not recorded double-digit rebounds since Jan. 27, when he grabbed 13 boards in a 103–87 win over the Sacramento Kings.
The limited workload reflects a broader organizational priority: keep Robinson healthy for the stretch run, even if it means sacrificing rhythm or nightly production.
Knicks Have Survived Without Robinson
Despite his absence, the Knicks have shown they can weather these situations.
New York is 10–6 this season without Robinson, according to StatMuse, a testament to roster versatility and head coach Mike Brown’s willingness to adjust matchups and lineups on the fly.
With Robinson unavailable Sunday, second-year center Ariel Hukporti will get the opportunity to play for backup minutes.
Brown also has the option to go smaller.
New York can experiment with OG Anunoby or Jeremy Sochan at center in switch-heavy lineups that emphasize speed, spacing, and defensive activity to counter the Bulls’ fast-paced and transition style.
A Season of Careful Management
Despite the restrictions, Robinson’s availability this season already represents progress.
He has appeared in 41 games, including 14 starts, marking his highest total over the past three seasons. Barring a major setback, Robinson is on pace to exceed his combined 48 appearances from the previous two injury-marred years.
After Sunday’s game in Chicago, the Knicks will have 24 games remaining in the regular season. Importantly, the weekend set against Houston and Chicago marks New York’s final back-to-back of the season, a scheduling break that should further ease Robinson’s workload moving forward.
Elite Rebounding Still Intact
Even in limited minutes, Robinson remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive rebounders.
He ranks second in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (4.5), trailing only Donovan Clingan (4.7), despite averaging roughly eight fewer minutes per game.
That efficiency continues to make Robinson valuable — and complicated — as New York balances short-term health with long-term planning.
Contract Questions Linger
Robinson’s long-term future with the Knicks remains unresolved, but recent roster decisions hinted at the franchise’s intent.
At the trade deadline, New York moved Guerschon Yabusele, who carried a player option for next season, creating the financial flexibility needed to potentially pursue a new deal with Robinson. The organization has until June 30 to finalize an extension before the 27-year-old enters unrestricted free agency.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in October that extension talks had begun but stalled.
Robinson has publicly brushed aside the negotiations.
“I’m gonna come out here and play hard still regardless,” Robinson said during training camp. “I’m just gonna play basketball.”
League-Wide Value, Complicated Market
Earlier this month, Towns offered a blunt endorsement of Robinson’s value.
“He can be a starter on any other team,” Towns said after their double-overtime win over the Nuggets.
That perception around the league could complicate New York’s offseason calculus. While some Eastern Conference rivals addressed their center needs, the Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac, and the Celtics landed Nikola Vučević. But Vučević is also on an expiring deal, leaving the market fluid.
For now, the Knicks’ priority is simple: protect Robinson’s health, manage his minutes, and keep him available when the stakes rise.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in 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. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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