Mitchell Robinson is beginning to play his means right into a contract extension.
The Knicks middle almost posted an offbeat triple-double Wednesday evening in a 120-108 loss to the Grizzlies on the Backyard. He completed with 14 factors, 11 rebounds and eight blocks. He was 7-for-8 from the sector. And he did it in opposition to NBA strongman Steven Adams.
“I knew they had been primary within the paint so I needed to defend the paint and went after the ball,’’ Robinson stated. “I took the problem. It was difficult [against Adams], however I believe I did fairly effectively.’’
Robinson, who missed a lot of final season with a damaged foot, is lastly rounding into excellent kind as a beast below the glass after struggling earlier within the season together with his conditioning. Robinson had seven offensive rebounds — and scored after 5 of them.
“He’s simply wholesome,’’ RJ Barrett stated. “Now you’re seeing a man getting in a groove. He’s such a present offensively and defensively. Eight blocks is unimaginable and all of the offensive rebounds.… Generally I simply shoot it as a result of I do know he’s going to get it.’’
Robinson might be an unrestricted free agent this summer season if the Knicks don’t act. He’s a one-of-a-kind old-school middle.
Coach Tom Thibodeau held his reward as a result of loss, and famous that when Robinson went out for his blocks, the Knicks didn’t usually get the rebound. It was unclear whether or not Thibodeau felt he gambled an excessive amount of.
“Good exercise and rim safety was important,’’ Thibodeau stated. “When he goes to dam we now have to ensure we discover a physique. He did some good issues however we bought to complete our protection higher.’’
Is he again to one hundred pc?
“Not all the way in which but, however near it,’’ Robinson stated.
The loss started a gauntlet for the Knicks. It was hardly a simple prep for the five-game western swing, which begins Saturday in opposition to the Lakers.
The Knicks (24-28) now face Utah, Golden State, Denver and Portland. Three of these groups are within the high six within the Western Convention and Portland nonetheless is in tenth place — in play-in vary.
The Knicks are 4 video games below .500, in twelfth place within the East. By the point they return house on Valentine’s Day, issues may look lots bleaker. In fact, the commerce deadline, subsequent Thursday, additionally can have handed.
That journey doesn’t finish the rigorous grind. The Knicks will get a respite with that Feb. 14 house match versus Oklahoma Metropolis, however then face the Nets to shut their schedule earlier than the All-Star break. They’ll come out of that break to face the Warmth adopted by a home-and-home versus the 76ers.
Thibodeau has been requested a number of instances in regards to the upcoming robust grind, and he steadfastly has stated the membership simply has to take a look at the opponent in entrance of it.
The “We Need Reddish’’ chants seemingly will proceed till the Knicks make a transfer on the commerce deadline to clear him a spot.
Cam Reddish didn’t play Wednesday. In his Knicks debut versus the Clippers on Jan. 23, he performed 5:25 of the primary half, however within the 5 video games since, he has played in either garbage time or not at all.
“He’s been nice with the early group and dealing in apply and that kind of factor,’’ Thibodeau stated. “Proper now, that’s step one. Any time you get traded in the course of the season, that’s it.
“When his alternative comes, it’s about efficiency,” coach Tom Thibodeau stated. “He’s gotta earn all the pieces he’s going to get.”
MSG Networks’ sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow is occurring maternity go away and might be out indefinitely after working the sport Wednesday evening
Not that it was a nasty choose for the Knicks to take Immanuel Quickley at No. 25 in 2020, however they did go on present Grizzlies stud capturing guard Desmond Bane, who scored 13 factors Wednesday and might be within the Rising Stars Problem at All-Star Weekend. Bane, who’s averaging 18.1 factors, was taken thirtieth — the final choose of the primary spherical.
