Robinson downplays thumb fracture
‘All I need is a splint and two Ibuprofens’
NEW YORK — Orlando Robinson thought he was fine, was ready to return to Tuesday night’s Miami Heat victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers if necessary, thought he just jammed his right thumb.
The next day told a different story.
“I woke up that last morning, it turned purple, so I went to go check it out. They said I broke it,” the undrafted rookie said Thursday, after watching teammates go through a morning shootaround ahead of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Even after that initial prognosis, Robinson said he is willing, if allowed, to return to the court as soon as possible, provided two things are available.
“All I need is a splint and two Ibuprofens,” he said with a smile.
“I’ve played on injuries before and I’ve healed through them, so this is nothing different. The sooner I can get out there safely without further damaging this little thumb of mine, I will be out there to contribute and help the team win.”
But it’s not that simple. So while he will remain with the team through Saturday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the conclusion of this four-game trip, the extent of the injury and the expected time away won’t be known until he meets with a specialist back in Miami.
“It’s not a bad break,” he said of the injury sustained when he got it caught against Cleveland’s Evan Mobley. “So if I can play on it the right way without further damaging it, then I will. I’m willing to, if they say it’s something I can do.”
The absence likely will carry through the All-Star break, which for the Heat ends on Feb. 24.
What the absence does is stop the clock on Robinson’s two-way contract, which now is down to nine remaining games he can be on the Heat’s active list. From there he either would have to be converted to a standard contract or spend the balance of the season in the G League.
“I’m aware of it,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “I told him; he’s aware of it. I told him the team, at this point, now is aware of it. And we’ll just continue to do it until we can’t. Now we don’t have to worry about that for the short term.”
Among the factors delaying the possible conversion of a standard contract into the Heat’s vacant 15th roster spot is the punitive payroll luxury tax. That barrier could be eliminated at next Thursday’s NBA trading deadline, should the Heat be able to shed salary.
“I haven’t had much dialogue with that certain subject,” Robinson said. “Whenever I come back, I’ll count those nine days from there.”
With Robinson’s steady contribution, veteran center Dewayne Dedmon had not played since courtside words with Spoelstra during the Jan. 10 home victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, ejected from that game and then suspended for the following game by the Heat for conduct detrimental to the team.
Dedmon said Thursday he has been working to be ready for a return.
“You can’t be in game shape without playing the game,” he said. “But you can always be prepared for your moment. And that’s what I am.
“All you can do is condition, prepare you mentals, work out, strengthen and reps.”
The time off, Spoelstra said, has allowed Dedmon to get a handle on the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that had led to early-season absences.
“He’s kept himself in shape,” Spoelstra said. “One of the things from this is he’s been able to really do some good rehab on his foot. He’s probably feeling the best he’s felt all year.”
Another Heat option in the middle remains unavailable, with second-year center Omer Yurts even only this week returning to contact work from November ankle surgery.
Center Bam Adebayo, who went into Thursday’s game averaging a careerhigh 35.1 minutes per game, said he could play more if needed amid Robinson’s absence.
“I don’t know. It depends on time, place, game, score. So all that factors in,” he said.
As for Robinson, Spoelstra said the tangible gains since an uneven summer league and training camp with the Heat have been noted.
“Particularly since summer league, he just continued to impress us with his stability and that each month he’s been an improved player, where he can stabilize a unit that needed some consistency,” Spoelstra said. “He does have an attention to detail. He’s coachable. He listens to the veteran players, so he’s earned their trust. It’s been encouraging to see that develop over time.”