Knicks Rumors: ‘No One Knows for Sure’ When Mitchell Robinson Will Return from Injury

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s timeline for return from a stress fracture in his left ankle remains unclear, although the team is expecting him to be out “at least three more months.”

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst relayed that note in a new story explaining what led to the Knicks acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick.

Specifically, Windhorst noted “no one knows for sure” when Robinson will return to the floor:

“The Knicks’ problems started at center, specifically their lack of a starting one. New York has built a wall around the extent of starter Mitchell Robinson’s foot problems — the Leon Rose administration is good at keeping secrets, which helped the Knicks not lose leverage in these very trade talks. But internally New York is planning for Robinson to be out at least three more months. Will it be more? Hopefully not, but no one knows for sure. Isaiah Hartenstein, who served as Robinson’s backup the past two seasons and started 49 games in his absence last season, departed in free agency, leaving New York dangerously thin — and short — up front.”

Robinson underwent surgery to for the stress fracture on May 13. Per SNY’s Ian Begley, Robinson is targeting a “December/January return date.” New York wants Robinson to be “100 percent healthy” before he plays this season.

Robinson notably had surgery on a stress fracture in his ankle last December and proceeded to miss 50 games. So there’s an obvious desire here to make sure he’s fully ready to go before taking the court.

New York clearly felt it had to address the center position after the Towns trade. The team took a big hit at the 5 when Isaiah Hartenstein left via free agency for the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million contract. The Knicks do have options on the roster to fill time at center, including Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims.

But New York ultimately opted for a blockbuster move in acquiring Towns, a four-time All-Star.