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When Will Mitchell Robinson Return? Coach Thibodeau Provides Latest Update on Knicks Star’s Injury Recovery

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When Will Mitchell Robinson Return? Coach Thibodeau Provides Latest Update on Knicks Star’s Injury Recovery

Mitchell Robinson getting injured was a huge blow to the New York Knicks. Going up against the Philadelphia 76ers last season in the playoffs, Robinson sprained his left ankle in the second quarter, amidst a series of stress fractures to the same area throughout the season. With a lengthy return timeline then being imposed on him, he has undergone two ankle surgeries since. But with rumors of his trade swirling, Mitch’s future, once he is healthy, seems to be up in the air.

No doubt most Knicks fans have been eagerly awaiting his return. Well, if you are too, then head coach, Tom Thibodeau has an update for you. He revealed that Robinson is back in light training. But before you celebrate, remember this does not mean he is 100% yet. 

“He hasn’t been cleared yet, so we’re still in the same place,” said Thibodeau in a recent presser. “But he’s doing well so he’ll be anticipating that sometime this month he’ll be cleared for practice.” NBA reporter, Ian Begley, confirmed the same too.

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The wait is almost over as Mitchell Robinson seems to have a foot in the door. Thibodeau also revealed that if the hoopster ends up responding well when he returns for good, he will be cleared for games sooner rather than later. However, the Knicks are approaching his return gingerly, given his setbacks in recent years. After all, Mitchell Robinson is just returning from stress fractures. 

Robinson himself seems to be itching to return to the fray. He recently posted a video on his social media of him doing box jumps, clearly showing the world that his rehab is going swimmingly. More and more of his recent social media content seems to be centered around weights and basketball training. Could this be Mitch letting fans know that he is about to return to the NBA with a vengeance?

Will the Knicks get even better with Mitchell Robinson’s return?

The Knicks are having a great season so far in the Eastern Conference. Sitting third on the table, only behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games. They are definitely title contenders, although they have looked shaky during turnovers despite their stellar form. And this is exactly where someone with the defensive presence of Mitchell Robinson can help. The seven-foot center’s ability to dominate the backboard and impose himself on the court would be very valuable.

Before his injury, Mitch was also putting up crazy offensive rebound numbers. And there’s no doubt that with him back, the Knicks will have an easier time controlling the pace of games. Moreover, jumping on a passing lane is much less risky when Robinson has your back, which will give other players a confidence boost during offensive plays. 

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USA Today via Reuters

Though, despite his talents, Robinson also happens to be the Knicks’ likeliest trade out of the team. With February’s trade deadline on the horizon and given the hoopster’s value, his future is worth keeping an eye on.

“New York wouldn’t be opposed to flipping Mitchell Robinson in a package for an impactful sixth-man-like player,” Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel wrote. Especially after the Knicks acquired Karl Anthony Towns in the offseason, names like Collin Sexton have been also widely suggested as potential replacements for the injury-prone big man.

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Although Collin does not have the defensive prowess of Mitch, his wild energy means he is no slouch in that area. He brings a much bigger offensive threat compared to Robinson, with an average of 18.8 ppg throughout his career.  

The future seems to be uncertain for the Knicks’ big man as things stand. But one thing is clear, if you are a Knicks fan, you would rather have someone like Mitchell Robinson playing for you than against you. That is only if he can maintain his fitness!

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