Mitchell Robinson left Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter Thursday after hurting his ankle, then returned to the game. He had four points and two rebounds in four minutes before exiting, a brief outing that still put New York’s frontcourt rotation under pressure.
Robinson’s First-Quarter Exit
The Knicks center hurt his ankle on a put-back score and was immediately taken out as he hobbled back on defense. He was then headed toward the locker room with a leg injury before making his way back onto the floor.
Robinson’s line before the injury was short but productive: four points and two rebounds in four minutes. For New York, that is the part that matters most, because he is the backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and plays a larger role than a typical reserve because of his offensive rebounding and defense.
Knicks Frontcourt With Towns
That depth-chart setup leaves the Knicks with one clear issue whenever Robinson is limited. His minutes are not just filler; they are built around specific possessions around the rim, and any early exit forces New York to adjust quickly in a playoff game.
Robinson has also been described as an oft-injured center, so the first-quarter scare fit a familiar pattern for a player whose availability can change the shape of the rotation in a single possession. Even so, he did return, which at least gave New York back one of the pieces it expects to lean on behind Towns.
What remained for the Knicks after the return was simple: keep managing Robinson’s minutes and get through Game 6 with their frontcourt intact. If he stays on the floor, New York keeps its rebounding edge and rim protection options; if not, the burden shifts back to Towns and the rest of the rotation.
