Knicks beginning middle Mitchell Robinson is out a minimum of every week with a sprained knee sustained in Friday night time’s victory over the Sixers.
The sprain was “mild,” based on Tom Thibodeau, and he’ll be reevaluated in 7 to 10 days.
Robinson, who signed a $60 million contract in the summertime, had began each recreation earlier than Saturday whereas averaging 6.5 factors and 6.4 rebounds with 2.3 blocks.
The 24-year-old has confirmed injury-prone and missed 51 video games the final two seasons (most of them due to a fractured foot). He was scoreless in 12 minutes Friday with three fouls.
Isaiah Hartenstein was anticipated to begin at middle Saturday towards the Celtics.
“He’s done everything that we were hopeful of, and we obviously studied him quite a bit,” Thibodeau mentioned of Hartenstein, who was signed on a two-year deal within the offseason. “The rim protection obviously has been very, very good. Pick-and-roll defense, very good. And then offensively, just to pull people away from the basket, play-make, very good passer. Good in the paint. And so I think as he gets more comfortable, you’ll see more and more from him.”
Robinson’s additionally damage units up extra alternatives for an Obi Toppin-Julius Randle frontcourt, a pairing that boosted the Knicks to victory on Friday.
Thibodeau has been immune to the lineup however might not have a alternative with Robinson out.
“The big concern is the defense and rebounding,” Thibodeau mentioned. “But I thought they did a good job with that, so it was good, very good [in Philadelphia].”
OBI ARGUMENT
Obi Toppin and Knicks assistant Rick Brunson bought right into a heated argument within the fourth quarter of Friday’s win in Philadelphia.
My understanding is the competition began with Toppin’s physique language and angle, and it created a tense trade. Still, the 2 smoothed it over after the sport, based on sources, they usually have a earlier relationship to fall again on in arduous instances.
“Just normal NBA stuff,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Heat of the battle.”
Brunson skilled Toppin through the energy ahead’s pre-draft course of in 2020.
Also noteworthy: after the argument, Toppin turned up the depth and carried the Knicks to a win.
GRIMES OUT AGAIN
Quentin Grimes was dominated out Saturday due to a sore left foot, someday after his first begin of the season.
Grimes had missed the primary six video games of the season with the identical ailment.
“He has a little soreness,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So we’ll so how he is [Sunday].”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com