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SAN ANTONIO — Mitchell Robinson walked off the Knicks’ team bus and passed through the wave of reporters and onto the court, his injured right hand free of a splint.
That marked the extent of Robinson’s media day Tuesday.
The Knicks’ longest-tenured player was unavailable to reporters a day before Game 1 of the Finals with his playing status uncertain. Robinson has a fractured right pinky, which Knicks coach Mike Brown told reporters did not occur from a game or practice.
At media day, Brown said Robinson did individual work yesterday and added he was going to meet with the team’s medical staff to see what Robinson could do in Wednesday’s practice.
“I don’t know what he’ll be listed on the injury report,” Brown said.
Robinson’s presence or absence has major implications in the series. Considered one of the league’s best rebounders and rim protectors, he is expected to be a primary defender on Victor Wembanyama with little center depth behind him and Karl-Anthony Towns.
During the portion of practice that reporters could watch, Robinson wore a splint and participated in drills along with the rest of the team.
The Knicks drafted Robinson in 2018 after the team was coming off a 29-win season and was transitioning away from Phil Jackson’s failed stint running the front office. No one on the roster has witnessed the franchise’s turnaround more than Robinson; the team won just 17 games his rookie year.
But despite that, he wasn’t one of the 10 Knicks listed to speak to the media on Wednesday. Robinson is not required to speak to reporters because of his injuries and neither he nor the team will be fined for his absence.
