Mitchell Robinson Makes Season Debut for Knicks; Ariel Hukporti Out Indefinitely

 Mitchell Robinson Makes Season Debut for Knicks; Ariel Hukporti Out Indefinitely

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — After nearly 10 months of recovery from left ankle surgery, Mitchell Robinson made his highly anticipated season debut on Friday night for the New York Knicks. Coming off the bench in the Knicks’ 114-113 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, the 26-year-old center contributed six points and five rebounds in just 12 minutes of action.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Robinson’s performance in his return, saying, “The first game back, for the amount of time he’s been out, I thought it was really, really good. We’ve been seeing it in practice too. So this is the next step.”

Robinson, entering his 7th season, was a key piece for the Knicks during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds over 31 games. However, his season ended prematurely due to injury in the second round of the playoffs. Robinson has been known for his elite shot-blocking and rebounding, and his presence immediately adds a new dimension to the Knicks' roster.

Thibodeau also commented on Robinson’s potential impact, especially on the defensive end, saying, “He brings a different dimension to our team. He’s going to help with rebounding and defense, and as he gets further into his return, his offense will follow.” Robinson’s coach emphasized that he would likely play limited minutes for the time being, gradually increasing his workload as he regains his full conditioning.

Ariel Hukporti Out Indefinitely

While Robinson made his return, the Knicks faced some unfortunate injury news on Friday with Ariel Hukporti, a 6-foot-11 rookie from Germany, being sidelined indefinitely. Hukporti underwent surgery to repair a left knee meniscus tear sustained in Wednesday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The rookie had been making strides this season, including a strong performance against the 76ers, where he scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed two rebounds in 16 minutes of action. For the season, Hukporti had been averaging 2.1 points and 2 rebounds in 25 games.

The Knicks announced that Hukporti will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, leaving a gap in the team’s depth.

Looking Ahead

As Robinson works to reintegrate himself into the Knicks’ lineup, the team will be without Hukporti for the foreseeable future. Robinson’s return will bolster the Knicks’ defense and rebounding, but the team will need to adapt to the loss of Hukporti, especially as the season heads into the final stretch.