After reporting last Friday that Mitchell Robinson “fully plans” to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals this Wednesday despite undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right pinky finger, Shams Charania of ESPN said during an afternoon appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link) that those plans haven’t changed.
According to Charania, Robinson remains “resolute” on suiting up for Game 1, though he still needs to get clearance from the Knicks’ medical staff in order to play.
Robinson didn’t speak to reporters during the Knicks’ media day session on Tuesday, but he wasn’t wearing any protection on his right hand when he showed up to the arena, notes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link). Once he got on the practice court, the veteran center was wearing a wrap on the injured hand, though he was still able to handle the ball, make passes, and get some shots up (Twitter video links).
The Knicks will have to submit their injury report for Game 1 by this evening, and head coach Mike Brown told reporters prior to today’s practice he’s not sure how the big man will be listed on that report, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Brown did say Robinson has only done individual work during practices and hasn’t taken any contact since sustaining the injury.
It remains a mystery how Robinson broke the bone in the first place. Brown told the media a few days ago that it didn’t happen during a game or practice, with Charania adding on NBA Today this afternoon that Robinson suffered the injury at his own home.
Mitch, youre in the nba, get someone else to make coffee. Robinson needs to be firing 100% for Knicks to be a chance against the Spurs in my opinion.