TITLE: Robinson’s Finger Fracture Clouds Knicks’ Finals Prep; Anunoby and Shamet Embrace Expanded Roles
SLUG: knicks-face-injury-questions-and-long-break-before-nba-finals
CONTENT:
New York will open the NBA Finals on Wednesday night unsure whether starting center Mitchell Robinson can take the floor. The 28-year-old recently had surgery on a broken fifth metacarpal in his right hand, an injury suffered during practice that affects his pinky finger. Robinson hopes to suit up with a protective brace, but head coach Mike Brown said Friday he will not know Robinson’s status until team doctors clear him.
“Let me know when he’s available,” Brown told reporters after practice. “Until then, we’re preparing everyone else to play.” Robinson did not participate in Friday’s workout and his involvement in Sunday’s session remains uncertain.
Anunoby Seizes Second Title Shot
OG Anunoby owns a championship ring from Toronto’s 2019 run, yet an emergency appendectomy kept him off the court that entire postseason. The forward nearly missed another playoff stretch this spring after aggravating a hamstring injury in Game 2 against Philadelphia, but he returned in time to help New York win the Eastern Conference. “He’s locked in and doing what we know he can do,” guard Jalen Brunson said.
Shamet’s Road Back
Reserve guard Landry Shamet has climbed a long ladder since signing an Exhibit 9 contract in September 2024. A preseason shoulder dislocation led to his release, and he was re-signed in December only to see limited playoff minutes under former coach Tom Thibodeau. Shamet earned the final roster spot again last fall and has become a steady contributor off Brown’s bench. “It means everything to be going to the Finals,” Shamet said. “We know what it’s going to require.”
Navigating Another Extended Break
The Knicks will have endured a second nine-day layoff by the time Game 1 tips off. A similar gap preceded a sluggish start against Cleveland in the conference finals, when New York trailed by 22 before rallying to win. Forward Karl-Anthony Towns expects a sharper approach this time. “Rust will be a thing, but we’ll prepare better for it,” he said.
New York leads all active teams in postseason rest days this year. Whether that downtime helps Robinson heal or hampers overall rhythm will become clear when the Finals begin at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
