Knicks Notes: Robinson, Alvarado, Sochan, Diawara

The load management plan that the Knicks instituted for Mitchell Robinson has been successful so far, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Robinson has already appeared in 44 games, which tops his totals from the past two seasons, and he’s on pace for his highest number of games played since 2021/22. Coach Mike Brown credits his medical team for keeping Robinson healthy, along with Robinson himself for being on board with the strategy.

“He’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels,” Brown said. “So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”

Part of the plan includes not playing Robinson on back-to-back nights, regardless of the circumstances. Brown opted to use Robinson in Tuesday’s win at Toronto rather than saving him for tonight’s game against Oklahoma City, the reigning NBA champs, explaining that he felt beating the Raptors was more important because they’re an Eastern Conference rival, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

Robinson came up limping and grabbed at his ankle after fighting for a rebound in the first quarter on Tuesday, but he told reporters it was nothing serious.

There’s more from New York:

• Speaking to the media before tonight’s game, Brown saluted team president Leon Rose for acquiring Jose Alvarado from New Orleans at the trade deadline (Twitter video link from Ian Begley of SNY.tv). Alvarado has been getting regular minutes at backup point guard and is averaging 8.0 points and 4.0 assists in 10 games since joining the Knicks. “I gotta give Leon credit; he went out and got him, ” Brown said. … “The energy on top of the quickness that he brings to the table every time we step on the floor is irreplaceable.”
• It’s been a much different experience for Jeremy Sochan, another recent addition after agreeing to a buyout with San Antonio. Sochan, who’s been limited mostly to garbage time in seven appearances with New York, told Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express News (subscription required) that he’s still adjusting to his new surroundings. “I’m settling in,” Sochan said. “It’s been chaotic for sure. It doesn’t help that it’s in season, so we’ve been traveling as well. Everyone has been welcoming — the owners and the players and the whole community. Everything has been positive.”
• Mohamed Diawara, the 51st pick in last year’s draft, is the latest in a string of second-round finds for the Knicks, Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News observes in a subscriber-only piece. Diawara’s playing time has been modest, but he has impressed the team whenever he’s been given minutes. “First thing I would say is Mo is not afraid. I’ve said this to you guys before, for a young guy, I’ve thrown him out there in games — to start — on national TV, and he didn’t bat an eye,” Brown told reporters after Sunday’s game. “And he might start three games in a row, then he might not play the fourth game, he doesn’t bat an eye. He is the most confident young man I’ve been around.”