Center Mitchell Robinson nearing return to lineup

NEW YORK — The Knicks handled the absence of Mitchell Robinson pretty well. Better than expected, actually.

And now the starting center is nearing a return from his surgically repaired thumb, practicing fully for the first time Wednesday since the injury with the possibility of playing the next game Friday in D.C.

“It’s always great having the big fella back,” RJ Barrett said. “We love Mitch. He’s been great for us for many years that he’s been here. Getting him back is always big time for us. Just trying to get him back up to speed as quick as we can.”

The Knicks declined to make Robinson available to the media after his first full-contact practice in more than a month. They’re also the only team that doesn’t open the final minutes of practice to the media, making it impossible to get insight from the 24-year-old.

Coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn’t commit to Robinson playing Friday against the Wizards. It’s the first game of a back-toback with a home game Saturday against the Pelicans, so it’s possible Robinson is only available for one after such a long layoff.

“He’s got to go step-bystep,” Thibodeau said. “This is the next step — go from practice, take contact, do everything and see how he feels tomorrow.

“Yeah (his conditioning is good), but there’s nothing you can do that’s going to replicate a game. This is the next step is to be in practice and take contact on. But it’s still not the intensity of a game. You let him go step by step.”

The Knicks went 8-6 — with five wins in their last six games — since Robinson broke his thumb contesting a drive from Washington’s Bradley Beal on Jan. 18.

Jericho Sims, who stepped in as the starter for the last 14 games, will likely be removed from the rotation once Robinson returns.

No load management at MSG

While much of the NBA has embraced resting and load management, Thibodeau has long respected the players eager to be available.

“Respect for the game,” Thibodeau said. “I know

Patrick (Ewing) was like that. Kevin Garnett was like that. A lot of guys were like that. Preseason game, they might not play a whole game but they’re going to play some. And if a guy is injured, you don’t want him to play. That’s being smart. If you’re playing pro sports, you’re going to be nicked up. That’s for sure. Being able to play through something, that’s part of it. When you get to the playoffs if you haven’t done it, how are you going to do it then?”

Knicks forward Julius Randle and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards were the only All-Stars this year who haven’t missed a game. Randle has missed only 12 games in his four seasons with the Knicks.

Thibodeau noted that resting players has not translated to better health.

“There are more injuries today than ever. Some of it can be attributed to luck,” Thibodeau said. “But I think conditioning is important. Discipline is important. And every team is different. You have an older team, younger team, what do you have? And your experience tells you a lot too. And oftentimes you have guys who aren’t going to sit out. You can try to hold them out. They don’t want to sit out. It’s the reason they’re great.”