Robinson has surgery on broken foot
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has put up good numbers this season but the worst number is this: two surgeries.
Less than two months after hand surgery, Robinson went under the knife again. The Knicks announced he had successful surgery Monday to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot at Hospital for Special Surgery.
The Knicks offered no timetable for his return but nobody expects him back this season — unless the Knicks go far in the playoffs. Coach Tom Thibodeau said he’s unclear about Robinson’s recovery time, but such a surgery often takes at least six weeks from which to recover.
Another concern is that NBA big men are susceptible to recurring foot injuries. Robinson plays with a reckless abandon that has led to a series of injuries in his first three seasons. He played four games upon his return after missing 15 following the hand fracture.
Robinson will enter the final year of his contract next season on a team option. There’s now expectation the Knicks would exercise that option. The theory prior to the surgery was potentially making him a restricted free agent to lock him up long term rather than risk unrestricted free agency in 2022 when they couldn’t match an offer.
“With losing Mitch, it’s just like tough, you know what I’m saying,’’ Taj Gibson said before the Knicks’ 98-88 loss to the Heat. “We work out together and you understand the things that he puts into the game. And to lose that, he got hurt, we don’t even know how long he’s going to be out. I’m still trying to register that. I’m going to let the guys upstairs handle what they have to handle.”
The Knicks will look to add a center with one of their two open roster spots. Nerlens Noel is the starting center and again was active versus Miami with four blocks. “We’re always looking at who’s available,’’ Thibodeau said. “We’ve been through this when Mitchell was out earlier. We feel good about what Nerlens does as a starter and what Taj does. We probably need a little insurance there. But we have guys there — Julius [Randle] with versatility as well.”
➤ Center Andre Drummond held his press conference after joining the Lakers and was asked if he considered the Knicks.
“All I know is I’m here now in LA,” Drummond said. “I’m here to win as many games as possible. I’m not really discussing that . ... I thought this was the best fit.’’
➤ Former Knicks assistant Mike Woodson thanked Knicks owner James Dolan profusely for letting him out of his contract to nab his dream job at his alma mater Indiana University.
“I want to thank my Knick family for allowing me to get out of my contract and come home,” Woodson said. “Jim Dolan gets a bad rap in New York. But he was a great owner for me. He allowed me to be head coach and he allowed me to come back to be an assistant.’’