Mitchell Robinson Reacts to 'Hack-a-Mitch' Strategy by Spurs After Knicks Take 2-0 NBA Finals Lead

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson says he feels the San Antonio Spurs' focus on him proves he's been a "threat" during the 2026 NBA Finals.

When asked after Friday night's Game 2 win about what a reporter referred to as the Spurs' "Hack-a-Mitch" strategy, Robinson answered: "It means a lot when I ruin that strategy, but it seems like they just want me off the court.

"So, in my eyes, I feel like I'm threat. So it's kind of how it is."

Robinson finished Game 2 having contributed seven points, three rebounds, a steal and a block in 14 minutes of the Knicks' 105-104 win. The Knicks now lead the Finals 2-0.

Knicks-Spurs Highlights

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Those 14 minutes included the final seconds of the one-point game, when Knicks coach Mike Brown put Robinson on the floor to defend Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama got a final look at a game-winning shot, but was unable to make the basket against Robinson.

Robinson had been tasked throughout the night with guarding Wembanyama, who shot 4-for-7 when matched up against Robinson.

Brown said after Friday's win that Robinson's defense had allowed the rest of the Knicks to box Wembanyama out at critical points of the fourth quarter.

"Wemby is— I've said it before. He's iconic," Brown said. "He's iconic. He can score from all three levels. He wants the ball, and two big possessions at the end of the game, we put Mitch on him.

"What I'm proud about more than anything else is Mitch defending him the right way. Wemby's iconic. If he makes the shot, he makes the shot. You're not blocking the shot. But you make him work."

Robinson's teammates also praised that defensive performance, which took place as the center played through a broken right pinkie finger.

"I feel like that last play was a culmination of the game, just downloading information as the game went along, guarding Wemby throughout the game," Karl-Anthony Towns said after the win. "And I think at the last possession it was the best defense he'd played on him all day, and there was no better time for him to do that.

"But Mitch is a hell of a defensive player. You expect him to make the best effort defensively. It just speaks to his resiliency, too, going out there, playing with the injury, and coming up with the biggest play of the game."

The Knicks will now head back to New York with a 2-0 lead in the Finals. Robinson will look to get his team one win closer to a title when Game 3 tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.