What happened: Mitchell Robinson is pushing to play in the Knicks' NBA Finals Game 1 on Wednesday after undergoing surgery on his right pinky. Robinson, who has been aiming for a Finals return since the surgery, must still be officially cleared by New York's medical team before he can participate. As of Tuesday afternoon, that clearance had not been granted.
Why it matters: Robinson's availability is a swing factor for the Knicks' interior defense and rebounding as they open the NBA Finals. A go-or-no-go decision on his pinky shapes New York's rotation and frontcourt depth for the most important game of its season.
By the numbers: May 28: Knicks announce Robinson is out with a broken right pinky finger, no return timetable. Late May: Robinson undergoes surgery on the finger. June 3 (Wed): targeted Game 1 return, pending medical clearance still outstanding as of June 2.
What to watch: Watch whether the Knicks' medical staff clears Robinson before Wednesday's tip, and whether he appears on the official Game 1 injury report.
Sources
- Yahoo NBA