Christmas Mitch Wish? Mitchell Robinson Leaves Hope Open For Return to Knicks

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson didn't fully close the door on a return from injury this season.

Mitchell Robinson offered New York Knicks fans a bit of a Christmas gift on social media going into the holiday weekend.

The fate of Robinson's season has been at the center of Knicks talking points this week: the primary center was originally projected to miss 8-to-10 weeks with an ankle injury, but Shams Charania reported that the team was planning to use a Disabled Player Exception that would save about $7.8 million, just over half of Robinson's $15 million salary. The move can only be made if the player in question is out for the season.

Eric Canha, USA TODAY SPORTS

Robinson has used his time off to post on social media and one of his latest entries on Snapchat should warm the hearts of Knicks fans: opening the digital floor for questions, one asked Robinson if he was truly out for the year, which yielded a coy yet hopeful reply.

"I hope not," Robinson said (h/t New York Basketball on X), keeping the potential return dream alive.

Robinson was well on his way toward at least All-Defensive Team honors in his sixth season with the Knicks: entering December, New York was second in the league in points allowed per game, with Robinson serving as a formidable paint defender. 

The longest-tenured Knick was also flirting with NBA history, seeking to become just the fourth rebounder to pull in at least six a game on the offensive glass. Robinson had 5.3 at the time of his injury but was one of two active rebounders to pull in at least 100 second-chances this season alongside Atlanta's Clint Capela. 

Mitchell Robinson Injury: Knicks' Worst-Case Scenario?

It's safe to say that the Knicks are having a blue Christmas without Robinson: New York has allowed opponents to score an average of 122 points in the eight games with Robinson and they were drastically outrebounded by 14 in Saturday's 130-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Robinson isn't the only New York paint-dweller who's ailing: the team is also without Jericho Sims due to an ankle injury, one that has led them to sign Taj Gibson back to the roster and add G League prospect Dmytro Skapintsev on a 10-day contract. Isaiah Hartenstein has taken over Robinson's spot in the starting five in the meantime.

The Knicks (16-12) return to action on Monday against the Bucks (12 p.m. ET, ESPN).