Knicks' Mitchell Robinson will likely miss rest of NBA playoffs due to ankle injury

The injury bug strikes again for the New York Knicks.

On Tuesday, the Knicks announced center Mitchell Robinson will be sidelined with a stress injury to his left ankle. The Knicks said Robinson will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks, which likely rules him out for the remainder of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Robinson underwent surgery on the same ankle in December and returned to the lineup earlier than expected in March before aggravating his left ankle during the postseason.

Robinson played 12 minutes in the Knicks' 121-117 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday, recording two points and two rebounds. He's averaged 2.8 points and 6.8 rebounds during the playoffs this year.

Robinson's injury marks the latest for the Knicks, who are already without All-Star forward Julius Randle after he had season-ending surgery in April to repair his dislocated right shoulder. Forward Bojan Bogdanovic underwent season-ending surgery last week to repair wrist and ankle injuries.

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The depleted roster has led to the Knicks' starters playing extended minutes – Josh Hart has averaged 46.6 minutes per game in the playoffs, while Jalen Brunson has averaged 43.7 minutes per game.

Following New York's Game 1 win over Indiana, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said his "shorthanded" squad will continue to find ways to win.

"We’ve been shorthanded all season. This team has the belief that they can win. Whatever you have, give it to the team and that’s what we're asking everyone to do," Thibodeau said. "When you make that commitment to each other, you are not going to give in. You are going to keep fighting. We are shorthanded. That’s our way. Our way is we have to play real hard."