Mitchell Robinson made a statement in his limited minutes as the New York Knicks opened the Mike Brown era with a 99-84 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The 7-foot center grabbed 16 rebounds in just 18 minutes, including five offensive boards—half of Philadelphia’s total as a team—underscoring his dominant preseason form.
Robinson’s activity on the glass proved pivotal as the Knicks pulled away in the second quarter, setting the tone for a comfortable victory. He also contributed seven points and a block before Brown emptied the bench in the second half.
“That’s kind of what I’ve been doing the whole time I’ve been in New York,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi. “Just continue doing what I was doing from last year and the year before. Go hard to the glass. The faster we play, the more space we have, and the guys are actually finding me. I just have to be ready at all times.”
Wallace Praises Robinson’s Impact
The HartfordJohn Wallace and five-time Paralympian Matt Scott at The Hartford and CUNY’s Inclusive and Adaptive Sports Program.
New York basketball legend John Wallace, a member of the Knicks’ 1999 NBA Finals team and first-round pick from the storied 1996 draft, called Robinson the team’s most impactful defender despite the presence of elite perimeter defenders OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
“We just need Mitch Robinson to stay healthy,” Wallace told Heavy Sports after working with young parathletes through The Hartford and CUNY’s Inclusive and Adaptive Sports Program last weekend. “[Robinson] is our defensive anchor. He’s great in the pick-and-roll, can guard guards, protect the rim, and clog the paint like no other. He’s also the best offensive rebounder in the NBA—he gets the Knicks extra possessions and deters shots at the basket.”
Wallace emphasized Robinson’s multi-faceted value: “OG and Mikal are our best perimeter defenders, no question, but you need an inside presence. That’s what Mitch does.”
Knicks Adjust Lineup With Key Injury
Robinson started in place of Anunoby, who was nursing a hand injury, and their 2024 first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet also got the start while Josh Hart came off the bench. Coach Mike Brown experimented with rotations throughout the game as he gets to know his roster, giving a glimpse of how Robinson-Karl-Anthony Towns frontcourt combination.
Last season, Robinson returned from ankle surgery to play in the final 17 regular-season games off the bench and appeared in all 18 playoff contests as the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 4.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and was particularly impactful in the second-round series against the Boston Celtics.
Role in Mike Brown’s System
Robinson’s role under Brown is expected to remain significant, whether he starts or comes off the bench.
“Even if he doesn’t start, Mitchell Robinson is going to play a lot,” Wallace said. “That’s a call for Mike Brown and his coaching staff, but whatever decision they make will be in the best interest of the Knicks making a huge run this year. I can’t imagine that run not including Mitchell Robinson playing significant minutes.”
Robinson’s dominance in preseason minutes reinforces his importance to the Knicks’ defensive and rebounding schemes. As Brown shapes rotations and experiments with frontcourt combinations, Robinson’s versatility as a rim protector and offensive rebounder will likely be a cornerstone of New York’s strategy heading into the regular season.
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