Knicks’ Robinson Eyes Finals Game 1 After Surgery Sport By lines May 29, 2026 Mitchell Robinson plans to play in the 2026 NBA Finals. The New York Knicks center had surgery on a broken right pinkie. Mitchell Robinson will wear a hand brace in Game 1. Mitchell Robinson Pushes Through a Finals Injury Mitchell Robinson underwent surgery on his broken right pinkie this week. The New York Knicks center plans to play Game 1 with a brace. Robinson injured the finger during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. Mitchell Robinson grabbed his hand after a rebound but finished that game. Coach Mike Brown said Robinson did not break the finger during play. The New York Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to clinch the Eastern Conference. Mitchell Robinson anchors the New York Knicks interior defense and rebounding. Robinson has long ranked among the NBA leaders in offensive rebound rate. A finger brace could affect how Mitchell Robinson catches and finishes lobs. A hand brace limits grip strength for any rebounding center. Mitchell Robinson relies on tip-ins and lob finishes near the rim. The brace could reduce conversion on those plays for Mitchell Robinson. New York coach Mike Brown will manage the Robinson minutes carefully. The Knicks can lean on Karl-Anthony Towns at center if needed. The New York Knicks await the Thunder-Spurs Game 7 winner. That Western Conference finals Game 7 tips Saturday in Oklahoma City. The Knicks need Mitchell Robinson against two physical frontcourts. Either opponent would test New York rebounding in the 2026 NBA Finals. Robinson defended Wembanyama and Hartenstein styles during the regular season. Oddsmakers will weigh the Mitchell Robinson injury when posting Finals lines. A limited Robinson changes New York rebounding and rim protection outlooks. The New York Knicks open the 2026 NBA Finals as Eastern Conference champion. Sportsbooks may shade game totals if Mitchell Robinson minutes look uncertain. Knicks fans will track every Mitchell Robinson rebound in Game 1. NBA centers have played through finger braces during past playoff runs. Mitchell Robinson missed long stretches with foot injuries earlier in his career. The pinkie surgery carries a shorter recovery than those foot procedures. Mitchell Robinson logged heavy minutes through the Eastern Conference finals. Durability has defined the recent Mitchell Robinson postseason run for New York. The 2026 NBA Finals tip off on June 3 on ABC. Mitchell Robinson will test the braced finger in pregame warmups. The New York Knicks list Robinson as probable for Game 1. His on-court minutes will signal how much the injury limits Mitchell Robinson. A short Robinson rotation would push more load onto Knicks reserves. Related Sports Coverage Knicks Sweep Cavaliers, Reach First Finals Since 1999Wembanyama Forces Game 7 as Spurs Rout ThunderNBA Passes Anti-Tanking Lottery Reform in 29-1 Vote Sources: ESPN and CBS Sports reported the details in this report.
