There’s a hidden story! Mitchell Robinson’s finger fracture did not occur during a game or practice, and he will play through the injury in the Finals.

Speaking on May 30 Beijing time, Knicks coach Brown stated that Mitchell Robinson’s finger was not injured during competition or training sessions, with the exact circumstances not made public. According to a prior report from insider Shams, Robinson broke the little finger on his right hand, had surgery, and intends to wear a brace when he takes the court for the Finals opener.

After sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks are now fully preparing for the NBA Finals. Over the past two seasons, Robinson has served as New York’s backup center behind Towns. His shot-blocking and rebounding ability make him a key part of the team’s rotation.

News of Robinson’s unexpected injury caught many off guard. After all, he played every minute of the Eastern Conference finals sweep against the Cavaliers without any visible issues. Some fans reviewing footage from the fourth game—where the Knicks defeated Cleveland to clinch the Finals spot—noticed Robinson showing signs of discomfort twice, yet he still finished the game, helping the team reach the Finals for the first time since 1999.

Whether matched up against Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama or the Thunder’s frontcourt duo of Hartenstein and Holmgren, Robinson’s size advantage will be crucial.

The longest-tenured Knicks player on the roster admitted during this postseason that he has been in a poor mental state. Before securing Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on the road, Robinson posted: “I’ll log off all social media for now to get my head straight. Something upsetting happened a few days ago—I won’t go into details. I’ll focus on the playoffs and getting myself right.”

During the 2025-26 regular season, Robinson averaged 19.6 minutes, 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting an impressive 72.3% from the field. The 28-year-old has played 13 games this postseason, averaging 14.2 minutes, 5.3 points, and 5.5 rebounds. Notably, in the series-clinching win over Cleveland, he came off the bench to contribute 8 points and 10 rebounds.

No matter whether the Finals opponent is the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, his presence on the court will be pivotal.

According to NBA official stats: with Robinson on the court during the regular season, the Knicks’ offensive rebound rate was 39.5%; when he sat, it dropped to 29.8%. For reference, the league-leading Houston Rockets posted a 38.8% offensive rebound rate.