The New York Knicks could be without their best defender, Mitchell Robinson, on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.
The New York Knicks begin a pivotal season against Gregg Popovich and the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday. Second-year center Mitchell Robinson is questionable for the game with a sprained right ankle.
Robinson is one of the most intriguing young players on the Knicks. The second-round pick was selected to the NBA All-Rookie second team after an eye-opening second half of last season.
The 7-foot-1 center averaged 7.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game as a rookie. Not to mention, the Louisiana native had a ridiculous 29 game streak with at least two blocks.
Additionally, Taj Gibson is listed as questionable with a sore right calf. If Robinson and Gibson can’t play, head coach David Fizdale will likely go to Bobby Portis as the center, but that unit will struggle defensively against the balanced attack of San Antonio.
Although Fizdale is waiting until Wednesday to reveal his starting lineup, Robinson was expected to start at center alongside Julius Randle at the four. In the event the Knicks are shorthanded, Randle will likely have to play some minutes at the five.
Despite all the flack the Knicks received this offseason for signing a bunch of power forwards, they are far deeper in the frontcourt than they were last season.
Additionally, they have a number of players who can play multiple positions. Marcus Morris can play both forward spots, while Portis, Gibson, and Randle can all flex between power forward and center when necessary.
No matter who is on the floor for the Knicks, they’ll look to upset the Spurs on their home floor on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET).
