Jason Burgos
Despite undergoing surgery on Friday morning, Mitchell Robinson intends to suit up for the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
On Thursday, New York Knicks fans got terrible news when ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that the fan-favorite big man had suffered a broken right pinky finger in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Furthermore, there was uncertainty surrounding his availability in the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 27 years.
Well, the NBA insider gave a massive update this morning. “Mitchell Robinson has undergone surgery on his broken right pinky finger and fully plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against OKC or San Antonio next Wednesday while wearing a brace on his hand,” Charania wrote on X.
While he isn’t a top star for the Eastern Conference Champions, Knicks fans know how impactful he can be. He is a strong rim protector, a serious lob threat, and one of the NBA’s best offensive rebounders. He could be a big difference maker in a series against the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
However, it certainly won’t be easy for the backup center. His pain threshold will be tested, and opponents are sure to target the recovering finger. Fortunately for Robinson, his offensive game doesn’t rely heavily on finesse. His 30.2 free-throw percentage during the playoffs is proof of that.
Nevertheless, he is adept at tapping the ball to himself or out to opponents when rebounding, and is one of the game’s best offensive rebounders. Fans will surely be watching how the brace affects that unique element of his game next week.
