Center of Attention: New York Knicks Welcome Back Mitchell Robinson in Blowout

Mitchell Robinson's return was part of a night of many landmarks for the surging New York Knicks.

Mar 27, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jalen McDaniels (2) dribbles the ball / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Call it a ceremonial first Mitch.

Reinforcements have officially begun to trickle in for the injury-riddled New York Knicks, who welcomed back starting five staple Mitchell Robinson back to the fold on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors. Robinson is the first of three injured regulars back in the lineup, playing a dozen minutes in the Knicks' 145-101 shellacking at Scotiabank Arena.

Though OG Anunoby and Julius Randle are still out indefinitely, members of the Knicks can't help but feel somewhat whole again now that Robinson is back from a 50-game departure due to an ankle injury.

“Isaiah (Hartenstein) has done great all year. Jericho (Sims) stepped in. Precious (Achiuwa) stepped in. But having Mitch back there as a defensive anchor, it’s huge for us," Miles McBride, another stellar substitute, said of Robinson, per Fred Katz of The Athletic. "Especially as a defensive-minded guard, just knowing I have somebody back there that can protect the rim, then offensive rebounding, that speaks for itself, just the way he’s able to go after the ball (is great)."

"It was great just to have him out there, just to have him happy," Donte DiVincenzo added in a report from ESPN. "Just his spirit, it really is contagious for us, not to mention what he brings on the defensive end."

Mar 27, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jalen McDaniels (2) dribbles the ball / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson made the most of his limited time, earning eight points and two blocks to help the Knicks (44-28) secure a double-figure established in the first quarter. Though he lost three turnovers and went 2-of-4 from the foul line, Robinson was pleased that his traditional defense seemed up to par in the early going.

“I believe my defense is kind of there,” Robinson said. “I think I still got a little bit to work on for that, but the shot blocking is still there, so that’s pretty good.”

With Robinson back, the Knicks have yet another thing to play for over their final 10 regular season games: with a spot beyond the Play-In Tournament seemingly secure (five games up on seventh-place Miami entering the weekend), New York will now try to jostle for a premier spot on the Eastern Conference bracket. A combination of the Toronto takedown and Cleveland's surprising loss to lowly Charlotte moved New York into third place, two behind current runner-up Milwaukee (which faces the Knicks on April 7).

The Knicks will also use this time to adjust their postseason rotation and get Robinson into a rhythm before the postseason trek begins. Robinson was on an apparent pace for both All-Defensive Team honors and a career-best in rebounding (10.3 a game in 21 appearances) before his season stopped and could wind up becoming a valuable member of the Knicks' second unit. Though a staple in the starting five, Robinson hinted that he'd be open to a bench role in a social media comment posted earlier this month.

Considering Robinson's ability to eat away at the grittier minutes and head coach Tom Thibodeau's propensity to use only two pure big men at a time (which could've partly led to Obi Toppin's departure), that could lead to the relative exile of New York's super subs like Achiuwa. Thibodeau sounded willing to be patient as Robinson takes on more active brand of rehab, but hinted at testing his limits as the final hours tick away.

“Each day he’s gotten better,” Thibodeau said in Katz's report. “You never know what to expect. But it was a good baseline for us, and I liked the way he moved. He’ll get better and better each day.”

Viewers won't have to wait long to see the next step in Robinson's progression, as the Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night (8 p.m. ET, MSG).