Mitchell Robinson returns, Deuce McBride gets hot hand as Knicks rout Raptors to grab third place in Eastern Conference
Knicks guard Miles McBride protects the ball from Raptors guard Kobi Simmons during the second half of an NBA game Wednesday in Toronto. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
TORONTO — As the Knicks stood in a tunnel in the bowels of Scotiabank Arena Mitchell Robinson bounced anxiously against the cement wall, waiting for the chance to join his team in uniform for the first time since December 8. And with 5:08 in the first quarter he got the call to enter the game and it took just seconds for him to scramble for a loose ball, knocking it off a Raptors defender to save a possession for the Knicks.
That's usually what I do,” Robinson said afterward. “And for me to miss a couple months and come back and kind of return to it like that right out the gate is great. It's a great sign.”
It was visible evidence that the Knicks were taking another step toward becoming whole again as Robinson made his return to game action Wednesday night after 50 games on the sideline. Robinson made it through 12 minutes with his usual hustle game around the rim recognizable and played his part as the Knicks dismantled the Raptors, 145-101.
With the win and a Cleveland loss in Charlotte, the Knicks moved into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference.
Faced with another tuneup against a shorthanded team running out the string, the Knicks poured it on from the start — scoring season-highs for first-quarter points (45), a first half (80) and finally for a game. Deuce McBride tied the franchise record for three-pointers in a quarter with six in the first period on his way to scoring 29 points He made a career-high nine threes. McBride was threatening the franchise record set two days ago of 11 three-pointers by Donte DiVincenzo before he was the last starter removed with 4:49 remaining.
There are still 10 games remaining, but the move into third place even while juggling lineups and waiting for injured players to return matters — even if Thibodeau won’t let the team look beyond the next game — Friday in San Antonio.
“Everything matters. And so the challenge for us is keep getting better,” he said. "Everyone in this league is capable of beating you, so I know there's always the notion of, 'oh, you should win this game.' No, not in the NBA.
"You can't get here without being a great player. Everyone has great players. And so I think you're making a huge mistake if you don't put the proper amount of preparations into each and every game. And we're not taking them lightly."
But the biggest news for the night was the appearance of Robinson with eight points and two rebounds. He was shut down on December 8 in Boston when he felt the effects of a fractured left ankle He underwent more testing back home which revealed the injury and required a surgical procedure on December 11.
He returned to practice in Denver last week and participated in the Knicks morning shootaround, then was upgraded from out to questionable. And after working through his pregame routine he was declared available to play.
“It felt great,” Robinson said. “Just got to work on a few things and just keep taking it day by day.”
“Each day he’s gotten better,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “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.”
Months ago the Knicks applied for a disabled player exception, a formality in case he did not return this season. The NBA declined the request and Robinson continued his work with the hope of getting back this season. Thibodeau hinted last week that Robinson would come off the bench as he ramps up and gets comfortable — with Isaiah Hartenstein filling in well at center in Robinson’s absence.
“I think every player is different, brings different strengths to the team,” Thibodeau said. “With Mitch, we know the shot-blocking, the rim protection, pick and roll defense, the pressure on the rim. The offensive rebounding is obviously we think the best in the league. So all those things. They're selfless things that help make the team a lot better. So we're glad to have him back.”
Robinson finished with eight points, two rebounds and two blocked shots — the first block coming in the opening minute of the second quarter when he nearly swallowed a drive by Toronto’s Kobi Simmons.
“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. Other than that, just get back and get better.”
“It was great, just to have him out there, just to have him happy” DiVincenzo said. “His spirit, it really is contagious for us. And not to mention what he brings on the defensive end.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
