Jason Burgos
Some intriguing New York Knicks rumors and news have emerged before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, including the real injury that big man Mitchell Robinson has.
Knicks fans are just hours away from seeing something they haven’t rested their eyes on in 27 years: Their favorite basketball team in the NBA Finals. Heading into New York’s series with the San Antonio Spurs, there have been several different emerging storylines. However, the most notable may be the health of their backup center.
Robinson had surgery on his right pinky finger last week. An injury that apparently did not happen during their conference finals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The hope is he will suit up on Wednesday for Game 1. However, it seems he doesn’t have a broken pinky.
During an appearance on a new edition of Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed Robinson broke the fifth metacarpal in his hand, not his pinky. “When you break this part of your hand, it’s known as a boxer’s fracture because most of the time it means you hit something,” Windhorst said.
It certainly isn’t good news for Knicks fans. However, Robinson did look good handling the ball during shoot-arounds on Tuesday. But that is a very different situation from in-game action.
Door not closed on NY Knicks making a summer trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last year, the Knicks were seen as a top trade contender for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not because they could make the best offer, but more because most believe that is where the two-time MVP wants to go. And he will have some influence on where he ends up getting traded this summer.
However, the team’s impressive run to the NBA Finals has many thinking that the long-rumored trade is a dead issue, even if the Knicks don’t win the series. Since it seems like President Leon Rose’s original vision has worked.
But according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, “while this historic Knicks run in the postseason has certainly lessened the likelihood of that scenario materializing, you never know how the team’s stakeholders might feel if these finals don’t go their way.”
So, while a trade is very unlikely, if they were embarrassed and swept out of the NBA Finals, that could make decision-makers feel a bold trade this summer is necessary.
NYPD will allow NY Knicks watch party at Plaza 33
Over the last few years, videos from watch parties and celebrations by Knicks fans have gone viral on social media. As well as the wild antics in the streets of Manhattan after victories. That recently led the New York Police Department to ban the traditional playoff watch party at Plaza 33 outside Madison Square Garden.
However, with Knicks fever running through the city and the team in the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly 30 years, the NYPD has lifted the ban on the Plaza 33 watch party, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. But the Knicks insider notes, “The permit is solely for tonight’s Game 1. Status for future watch parties is TBD.”
