Mitchell Robinson set for on-court shooting after All-Star break
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson fights for rebounding position against Phoenix Suns forwards Yuta Watanabe and Drew Eubanks during the second half of a game on Nov. 26, 2023, at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Peter K. Afriyie
Mitchell Robinson hit the eight-week mark since undergoing surgery on his left ankle and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said that he has been progressing well and is heading to a return to on-court shooting work after the All-Star break.
“He’s doing better and better,” Thibodeau said on Tuesday. “Progressing. I think probably right after the All-Star break he’ll start to do activities on the court. So we’re very pleased with how he’s coming along. So that’s a positive.
“You have to go step by step. You do the rehab part, you’re in the pool, you’re on the alter-G [anti-gravity treadmill], you’re lifting, doing that sort of thing. They’ll clear him to get on the court with form shooting, that sort of thing.
“Then they’ll progress to the running part, the jumping part, then you start off 1-on-0, then 1-on-1, then 2-on-2, so there’s a progression to it, to where you get to the 5-on-5 and then you’re cleared for practice.”
Robinson, who has been sidelined since Dec. 8 and then underwent surgery on Dec. 12, still has a long way to go, but it is still more optimistic than early reports that had him out for the season.
“Yeah, he’s doing some shooting, but it’s limited,” Thibodeau said. “We have to go step by step. Just follow the medical protocol until he’s cleared to start running. And that will probably be right after All-Star.”
Robinson has not had cardio work.
“That’s why you’re putting him in the pool,” Thibodeau said. “He can get on the bike, he can do those things. But it’s very low impact. So then it’s the next step after that. I think with that — you have to trust the medical, and you trust the player. We’re not going to put him in harm’s way. We’re going to make sure he’s completely healthy before he gets out there.”
Rose back in Garden
Derrick Rose was cleared to play Tuesday for Memphis after being listed as questionable with left hamstring soreness. Thibodeau was happy to see the player he has been with on three different franchises since Rose began his long career.
“It’ll be great to see him,” Thibodeau said. “It’s no fun when you’re coaching against him. Great guy. I was just thinking about him the other day. I’ve had him at every stage. And whatever role you ask him to play, he excels at it. And the thing that stood out when I think about him in his whole career — and to me, he’s a Hall of Fame player — the youngest MVP in history. And when he was the youngest MVP, the thing that stood out was the humility.
“Every night was incredible when he was on the court. But the humility to be a great teammate. And he’s always had that. And I think the role he has in Memphis right now, you couldn’t ask for a better person to be around Ja [Morant]. And I think that’s great for him. If he’s healthy — and that’s the big thing — he could play.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
