Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson out until December or January after ankle surgery: Sources

With the most anticipated season in more than two decades beginning soon, the New York Knicks are getting off on a bad foot … literally.

Starting center Mitchell Robinson will likely not be ready to hit the court until December or January, as he’s still recovering from ankle surgery he underwent in May, league sources told The Athletic Monday. FOX Sports was first to report the news.

Robinson’s absence strips New York of its defensive anchor to start the season. New York doesn’t want to rush Robinson back to the court before he is 100 percent healthy. The team is confident in its depth and versatility, league sources said.

The center position was the Knicks’ biggest question mark coming into training camp due to Robinson’s health history and the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein to Oklahoma City this summer in free agency. Robinson played in only 31 games last season and has missed 125 regular-season games over the past four campaigns.

New York has spent a good portion of the last few months scouring the league to address its the lack of depth at the position, according to league sources. The team has shown interest in trading for Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, among others.

Until (or if) New York addresses the five spot externally, the minutes will likely be shared by Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims and All-Star forward Julius Randle, who hasn’t played since January after undergoing shoulder surgery.

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(Top photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)