Knicks Rumors: Mitchell Robinson Won’t Return from Ankle Injury Until 2025

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s recovery time from May ankle surgery may be on the longer side of initial estimates.

On Thursday’s episode of First Take, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Robinson will miss the remainder of this calendar year while waiting for his foot to get 100 percent healthy.

Robinson dealt with stress fractures in his left ankle at multiple points last season that required surgery two different times. The first procedure happened in December and kept him out for 50 games.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Robinson had surgery to repair another stress fracture in the same ankle on May 13. He initially injured his ankle in Game 3 of New York’s first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Robinson was able to play in three more games before being shut down after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers.

SNY’s Ian Begley reported last month that Robinson and the Knicks were targeting a “December/January return date” for the 26-year-old center, with the team wanting to ensure he is 100 percent healthy before putting him back on the court.

The Knicks seemed like they were going to have a question mark at center with Robinson injured and Isaiah Hartenstein leaving to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.

Their acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 2 solved New York’s immediate and long-term need for a proven big man.

Injuries have been a persistent problem throughout Robinson’s career. He has only played more than 60 games once in the past four seasons.

When Robinson does play, he’s one of the best rebounding centers in the NBA. He has averaged more than four offensive rebounds per game in each of the past three seasons, including a league-best 4.5 per contest during the 2022-23 campaign.

Until Robinson is able to return, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely rely on Jericho Sims as his primary backup center when Towns is on the bench.