SAN ANTONIO — New York Knicks reserve center Mitchell Robinson is listed as questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals as he recovers from a fractured right fifth metacarpal.
Robinson had his broken right pinkie heavily wrapped in black athletic tape and did not speak to reporters at NBA Finals Media Day on Tuesday, but he was on the court with teammates in a practice jersey, shooting with his injured hand at the start of practice.
Robinson, a 7-footer who surely would be a valuable rotation player to help against San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, has not spoken since his injury was disclosed after Game 4 of New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He underwent surgery to repair the break last week and is said to be pushing to play.
Knicks coach Mike Brown previously said the injury did not occur during a game or practice and added Tuesday that Robinson was able to go through individual drills before the Knicks flew to San Antonio. In the portion of practice open to the media Tuesday, it appeared that Robinson would at least try to participate.
Game 1 of the finals is at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Robinson not being made available as part of media day is an early tea leaves moment for this series. Teams can get away with hiding their players from reporters when they are ruled out with an injury. So is that where this is headed? The Knicks did make third-string center Ariel Hukporti available to speak, and he said, “I’m always prepared, I’m always ready,” if Robinson can’t play Game 1.
Robinson is averaging 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 30.2 percent from the foul line during the 2026 postseason. His minutes were limited against Cleveland, and Brown often used him as, for lack of a better word, bait to trick the Cavs into fouling him quickly and putting the Knicks into the bonus.
Robinson doesn’t need a pinkie to bang bodies with Wembanyama. If he can grab the ball and dunk it with nine fingers, it’s a bonus, and Robinson was already the NBA’s worst foul shooter with 10 good fingers. Robinson is among the Knicks’ most important reserves, along with point guard Jose Alvarado and wing Landry Shamet.
This story will be updated.
The Athletic’s James Edwards contributed to this story.
