Knicks Mitchell Robinson Cleared for Contact Practice as Injury Recovery Progresses
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks has been cleared for contact practice as he recovers from a foot injury, nearing his return to the court. His presence is crucial for the team's defense.
The New York Knicks are poised to regain a crucial member of their lineup as center Mitchell Robinson has been cleared to practice following a foot injury.
Robinson has yet to play in the 2024-25 season but received approval to participate in limited contact drills, as announced by head coach Tom Thibodeau on Monday. While he isn't cleared for full practices as of now, this is a significant milestone in his rehabilitation process.
Thibodeau clarified the situation, noting, “Mitchell Robinson has been cleared for contact in practice; he isn’t yet cleared for full practice as he still needs to get through some steps before he’s allowed to play in 5-on-5 scrimmages with contact.” This statement came as a correction to an earlier report indicating otherwise.
On Saturday, Thibodeau suggested that Robinson was close to reaching the next step in his recovery process, expressing optimism about the rehab progress: “Everything has gone very smoothly in terms of the rehab. So the next step will be the clearance for regular contact,” he stated ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Robinson's frequent injuries have sparked trade rumors as the deadline approaches, especially as he is set to earn $14.3 million this season. In the previous season, he participated in only 31 games, averaging 5.6 points and 8.6 rebounds.
His return would be timely, particularly if teammate OG Anunoby faces significant downtime. Additionally, with Robinson making positive strides in his recovery, a trade before the deadline seems less likely.
The Knicks currently hold a record of 32-17 and are scheduled to play against the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
