The New York Knicks will have center Mitchell Robinson for Wednesday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks announced in the hour before tipoff that Robinson is available, confirming earlier reports that he was expected to play.
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Robinson underwent surgery last week to repair a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Despite the procedure, he was clear about being ready to play Game 1.
Neither Robinson nor the Knicks have revealed exactly how the digit was broken. Head coach Mike Brown would only say Robinson did not injure the pinky in a game or during practice.
Robinson, who was previously listed as questionable for Game 1, has not played since May 25 when the Knicks picked up their second straight sweep of the postseason with a dominant Game 4 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Robinson played 18 minutes, posting eight points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
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During NBA Finals media day on Tuesday, Robinson was not made available to reporters, but was spotted walking into Frost Bank Center without anything on his hand.
Later, Robinson was wearing a black wrap and brace on his right hand when the Knicks began practice.
“He did some individual stuff [Monday],” Brown said of Robinson’s practice activity. “I’m about to talk to our medical people to see what he can do [Tuesday].”
On Tuesday, Robinson participated as usual in pregame warmups.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier Tuesday that Robinson plans to play in Game 1 wearing a brace on the injured hand — “a pretty sizable one, I’m told.” Robinson hadn’t yet progressed to taking full contact, though, and needed to be officially cleared by the Knicks’ medical team before he’d be eligible to participate.
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Charania also reported that, while the details surrounding Robinson’s injury remain murky, the center sustained it “in his own home.” Brown had previously confirmed Robinson did not injure his pinky during the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers or during a team practice session.
When asked for more details on how the injury took place, Brown referred reporters to a Knicks public relations official who said the team was “not going to get into specifics on anything.”
