The Knicks are facing the ghosts of injuries past as recently anointed starting center Mitchell Robinson opens the season inactive due to load management, writes Kristian Winfield for the New York Daily News.
Winfield notes that there’s no official timetable for Robinson’s season debut, a dissatisfying data point in a confusing saga that began when Robinson sat out the second half of the team’s October 9 preseason game after playing the first half. According to head coach Mike Brown, that uncertainty may not be resolved in the near future.
“There may be a stretch of five games where we may sit him. There may be a stretch of two games where we may sit him,” Brown said. “There’s no definition of what load management is. You just go along … myself and the medical team and the front office will go along as we see fit, and we’ll decide if we want to sit him during practice or we want to sit him in a game. It’s as simple as that.”
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post also expresses some confusion regarding Robinson’s status, writing that he doesn’t understand why the big man is sitting out on opening night if he didn’t suffer some sort of injury or setback during the preseason. Bondy also relays Brown’s explanation for Robinson missing the team’s season opener.
“Just because he might be able to play tonight, he might be able to practice today, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m gonna play him or I’m gonna practice him,” Brown said.
We have more from around the world of New York basketball:
- The Knicks‘ decision to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau this summer after one of their most successful seasons in recent memory came down to a philosophical misalignment with certain members of the front office, writes Ian O’Connor for The Athletic, who says those front office executives were focused far more on Thibodeau’s flaws than his strengths. “In their world, the players were 51-0 and Tom was 0-31… He also had a sense of betrayal,” a source close to him said. “When you find out that people you helped either weren’t with you in the end or didn’t fight for you like you fought for them, that stings.”
- Egor Demin was intent on preparing his body for the Nets‘ season as he recovered from plantar fasciitis, writes Peter Botte for the New York Post. Demin has added over 10 pounds of muscle since being drafted and he said the difference is noticeable. “[I wanted] to be able to compete against athletes as we have [in the NBA], so I can be a little bit heavier to be stronger on defense, on offense, to get into the paint, and things like this,” Demin said. “As long as I’m above that [number], it’s good, but not too much [because] I want to still be able to run. But I think I’m in a good balance right now with my weight, muscles and condition.” Demin came off the bench on Wednesday in the Nets’ season opener against the Hornets.
- Cam Thomas will return to free agency in 2026 after accepting his qualifying offer following a lengthy standoff with the Nets this summer. However, he’s not struggling to keep his eye on the ball, literally, as he enters another contract year, writes The New York Post’s Brian Lewis. “I’m not really worried about that. It’ll take care of itself,” Thomas said of his place in Brooklyn and his contract situation going forward. “The main goal is just being on the court and playing, being out there. I love to hoop, I love to play, so that’s really the main thing I’m trying to do this year. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll let that take care of itself.” After a season shortened by injuries, Thomas came into this year slimmed down and ready to take on an even bigger role.
Mitch played 17 season gms last yr. OK so move on. He is missing one game.
More worried about Towns. He looked good tonight. Glad he played.
Thibs built this team with Rose. Thibs is most responsible for their success. And them being here after 5 yrs. In fighting and backstabbing nothing new to Knicks. Media always pushes it and Dolan loves it. Seems moronic placing blame on a guy who rebuilt this franchise. We only need to be thankful fir Thibs and move on.
Thibs is a solid coach, his players seem to love playing for him…but it doesn’t seem to translate to fans and media. We will see what happens but I like him more than Brown.
I agree that it’s only one game right now for Mitch, but Brown’s comments are very concerning. “He’ll play and practice when we want him to, we may sit him for five games straight because we define what load management is”?! This has the potential to blow up in the Knicks faces when Mitch starts expressing his displeasure publicly about this “load management” plan.
I imagine Mitch is fine with it. Keeping him healthy for the long run is the goal.
He is Towns backup. Its not a big deal. Imo Knicks are protecting their asset. He is not signed past this year. And Knicks are already at second apron with cap. He is going to moved.
I know you want Mitch to be Towns’s backup, but wouldn’t the fact that Hukporti started and Jemison got minutes tell you that KAT will mostly play the 4?
I don’t care what Brown does. I make up my own mind. Towns played Center all last year. He is the starting East all star center. He had arguably his best all around yr last year at Center. He’s been a center ALL his life. Can play some 4 doesn’t mean he is one. Its why Mitch will be moved …
Hukporti started cause Hart is out too. Hukporti is the reason Mitch will be moved.
Tge Mke Brown era begins ……
For a more uptempo pace and talk. 22 ast suxx.
If you watched the game. You saw why Knicks will eventually move Mitch. Make sure he stays healthy and looks good. Then you will get real value first him. Hukporti is ready to backup Towns.
Cavs were missing Garland. So it was a must win gm.
Knicks had 4 players score in double figures. And Clarkson, Yabusele had bad scoring gms. Their two biggest additions.
Its the first game. So I’m not going to get all WarriorFanny like. We won is all I need. NYK
I know Robinson isn’t a star player or anything, but the league should fine the Knicks for this. Load management on the first game of the regular season? May hold him out for five games straight? Just a bad look for the league as a whole, but then again this issue is nothing new.
I agree ridiculous. At this point if you can’t play 60 games you’re no good. Putting him in and out of the lineups. Just going to mess up chemistry. Time to move on and trade him. Love to see them get claxton from the nets. They do need another center though
Its one game. He was banged up a little after preseason. They are just not going to take chances with him.
If he is banged up after preseason what do you think’s going to happen in the regular season? They are talking about sitting him 5 games at a time. That kills chemistry. Can’t have a player in and out of the lineup and be changing lineups. No team has ever won a championship doing that. The best ability is availability.
Yeah, a philosophical misalignment with “certain members of the front office”, aka WWW and his 2k’er regiment or, more recently as the Collaborators. Of course, absent a lobotomy, Thibs was never going to align with them. Thibs actually did his best to cover for their incompetence, particularly in the draft. Apparently, it was more resented than appreciated.
Overall, the NYK looked decent enough tonight for a first game. Starting Hukporti , to me, signifies that they intend to use KAT principally at the 4, a direction I strongly approve. Hopefully, it’s Brown’s decision and the Collaborators aren’t involved.
Bro he did wonders with the draft. And they always trash him on how he handles young players. He helped Mitch become a force. Sims, Hukporti last picks in draft are solid backup centers. He helped Randle, Hart, Brunson, Quickley, McBride, Grimes, even Donte.
Yes, starting with the fact that Thibs is the only reason we drafted Quickley, Grimes and McBride. The guys in the FO responsible for the drafts in 2020 and 2021 screwed the pooch, and had no real plan (other than trading down) when the prime targets came off the board. Thibs had these alternatives from his own due diligence, and eventually they capitulated (after trade downs). Resentment started there though and didn’t get any better when these guys outperformed their draft position. It might be one reason that we haven’t really participated much in the draft since.
The point is he is the one common in their ascendancy as NBA players. He helped them all.