Knicks center Mitchell Robinson's absence has left a big hole

Where have you gone, Mitchell Robinson? And when, if ever, will you return?

With only a month to go before the trade deadline and the Knicks’ lack of depth, especially at center, being a huge concern, Robinson’s status remains one of the murkiest mysteries for fans of a Knicks team that has hopes of contending for a title.

The 7-footer was injured in a physical battle with Joel Embiid in the Knicks’ first-round series against the 76ers and played only 11 minutes in the Knicks’ second-round series against the Pacers last May. He hasn’t played since.

Robinson had offseason ankle surgery that was described as minor, and the expectation was that he would return near the start of training camp. Yet here we are more than two months into the season, and Robinson, according to Tom Thibodeau, has yet to step onto any kind of court with the team.

“He hasn’t been cleared for practice. That will probably be the next step,” Thibodeau said Monday before the Knicks lost to Orlando, 103-94, at the Garden. “Just doing his rehab stuff. There’s a lot of benchmarks he has to clear first. Once he does that, then he’ll get onto the court.”

What those benchmarks are and how Robinson feels about his progress, the acquisition of big man Karl-Anthony Towns and where he fits into the Knicks’ plans is anyone’s guess. Despite repeated requests, Robinson has not talked to the media since his season ended in last year’s playoffs.

This lack of clarity has become such a hot topic with fans on social media that Robinson finally put up this cryptic post on X yesterday: “It’s so amazing that yall KNOW WHAT happened and still fault me but wonder why I act the way I act all the love tho.”

When he’s healthy, Robinson is an elite rim protector and one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Having him available off the bench in relief of Towns would give the Knicks a powerful one-two punch in the playoffs. Having him back earlier than that would give Towns some much-needed relief.

Towns sat out Monday’s game with what was being called right knee tendinopathy. The four-time All-Star took a hard fall in the final minutes of the loss in Chicago on Saturday and headed to the locker room before the game was finished. Holding him out of the Orlando game likely was a cautionary move, not the result of something serious.

Still, it was scary to see Towns limp off the floor in Chicago. His 34.6 minutes per game is more than he has been asked to play since the 2017-18 season with Minnesota, which incidentally was the last full season in which he was coached by Thibodeau.

Thibodeau has been accused of being obsessed with winning the game that’s right in front of him and taking the risk of exhausting and injuring his players. That is somewhat overblown, given that the Knicks practice less than other teams. As they get deeper into the season, they often drop shootarounds in favor of a video and walk-through session in a hotel ballroom.

The Knicks have one of the best starting fives in the NBA and have a shot at having three players in this year’s All-Star Game. Towns and Jalen Brunson are a lock to go to the game in San Francisco next month, and a case can be made for Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby.

Unfortunately, the best starting five doesn’t mean the best overall team. The Knicks’ bench is precariously thin, especially at center. Robinson has a history of injuries but is so talented that several teams reportedly have inquired about him.

The best scenario for the Knicks would be to have Robinson back on the floor, backing up Towns. Any alternative involving a trade would mean giving up more assets for another center, and it would be complicated by the new CBA rules that say they can’t take back more salary than they give out.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

So fans sit and wait and wonder. They wait for benchmarks to be passed, doctors to give clearance and team scrimmages to be joined. And with the trade deadline fast coming, they begin to wonder if they will ever see Robinson in a Knicks uniform again.

By Barbara Barker

barbara.barker@newsday.commeanbarb

Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.