Knicks Rumors: Mitchell Robinson to Return from Ankle Injury vs. Grizzlies or Heat

Mitchell Robinson could make his New York Knicks season debut in time for Friday's road game against the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

If sidelined against the Grizzlies, Robinson plans to return by Sunday's road game against the Miami Heat, per Charania.

Robinson has not played since undergoing left ankle surgery in May. He underwent a procedure on a stress fracture in the same ankle in December 2023.

Charania's update comes after he reported last Sunday that Robinson had "completed multiple full scrimmages" and was narrowing in on a return date.

When available last season Robinson averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through 31 games while putting up the most efficient defense of any Knicks starter.

Through the first two thirds of the 2024-25 campaign, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has leaned heavily on his starting five of Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Thibodeau has hinted that could change once Robinson is back in the lineup.

"I think you have to look at it and say, okay, Mitch was projected to be the starting center on the team," Thibodeau said when asked about Robinson's pending return on Tuesday (h/t SNY.) "So, we've gone 50-something games without our starting center. And I think guys have done a really good job stepping in.

"Could we do better? I always believe we can do better. Mitch is an elite pick-and-roll defender, an elite rim protector. He's an elite offensive rebounder. Those are things that are critical."

The Knicks sit third in the East and have won 11 of their last 16 games, but conceded ugly losses to the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers last week that raised questions about the team's ability to compete with the top teams in the league.

New York will hope the arrival of Robinson will help give the Knicks the boost the team needs to finally earn a win against a top-three opponent down the stretch.