Robinson hauls in 16 rebounds as Knicks test new lineup in preseason opener
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New York head coach Mike Brown opened the preseason by pairing center Mitchell Robinson with new acquisition Karl-Anthony Towns, and the move paid off Thursday in Abu Dhabi. Robinson collected a game-high 16 rebounds in just 18 minutes as the Knicks topped the Philadelphia 76ers 99–84 in the first of two exhibition games in the United Arab Emirates.
Robinson, who did not play after halftime, grabbed 11 defensive boards and was credited with three deflections. “He was phenomenal,” Brown told reporters. “Played 18 minutes, had 16 rebounds … I’ll get a plaque for you, Mitch.”
The coach alternated Robinson and Josh Hart with the starters during training camp, but Hart is listed day-to-day after a hard fall left him with lower-back soreness. Brown said the alignment is not locked in, though the injury makes Robinson the likely starter again when the teams meet Saturday.
Injury opens door for Dadiet, who struggles
With OG Anunoby sidelined by a minor hand issue, rookie forward Pacome Dadiet received a surprise start. The 19-year-old shot 0-for-5 from three-point range, committed three turnovers and finished with four points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.
Rotation notes
- Karl-Anthony Towns looked comfortable in Brown’s free-flowing offense, according to observers on site.
- Guard Miles McBride was singled out by multiple reporters as one of the night’s top performers.
- Landry Shamet played in the first-half rotation, while Malcolm Brogdon did not appear until midway through the third quarter, after Brown turned to his deeper reserves.
Brunson stays out of front-office decisions
All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson told the New York Post he prefers to leave personnel calls to team executives. “My job is to go out there and be the best player I can be,” he said. “When something happens, let me know, but I don’t want any part in having a say in it. It’s not my job.”
The Knicks and Sixers conclude their two-game Abu Dhabi series Saturday before New York returns home to continue its preseason schedule.
Source: HoopsRumors
