Mitchell Robinson has broken his right pinky finger, and his availability for the NBA Finals remains uncertain. League sources told The Athletic there is no timetable for the New York Knicks center’s return, leaving the team with an important injury question just as it reaches the league’s biggest stage.
The injury adds concern for a Knicks team that swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals to earn its first NBA Finals berth since 1999. Robinson’s status matters because his presence changes New York’s frontcourt balance, especially against possible opponents with size such as the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
Why Robinson matters to New York
Robinson has been one of New York’s most important interior players because of his work on the glass and his rim protection. He ranked fourth in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game at 4.2 during the regular season and posted a league-best 20.1 offensive rebounding percentage.
That production has been especially valuable for a Knicks offense that has leaned on extra possessions. Robinson also remains the longest-tenured player on the roster, which has made him a steady presence through multiple seasons of change.
Injury history makes the situation more delicate
This latest setback lands after several injury-plagued seasons for Robinson. He appeared in only 31 games in the 2023-24 season and just 17 games in the 2024-25 season because of an ankle injury, although he returned in time for the playoffs last season and helped New York reach the Eastern Conference finals.
The Knicks managed his workload this season with a clear plan. They kept him out of back-to-back games to help keep him fresh for the postseason, and that approach paid off when he played 60 games for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.
Postseason role already showed some limits
Robinson has not missed a game in the current postseason, but his minutes have dropped. One factor has been his struggles at the free-throw line, where he is shooting only 30.2 percent, and opposing teams have intentionally fouled him to disrupt New York’s offense.
That trend could matter even more if he returns before the Finals end up being decided. A compromised Robinson would affect both the Knicks’ spacing and their ability to control the paint, which has been one of their core strengths in the playoffs.
New York’s depth will be tested if he sits
If Robinson cannot play, New York would have to lean more heavily on its depth at center. Second-year big man Ariel Hukporti is listed as the team’s third-string center, and he played only 498 regular-season minutes.
The matchup could become especially important depending on the opponent, since both the Thunder and Spurs bring size inside. Oklahoma City has Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, while San Antonio features Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, creating a frontcourt challenge that makes Robinson’s status even more significant.
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