Knicks learn Mitchell Robinson’s injury fate ahead of NBA Finals opener vs Spurs days after his pinkie surgery

New York Knicks center and defensive menace Mitchell Robinson will be available against the San Antonio Spurs for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Robinson broke his right pinkie last week resulting in surgery and has since been seen with a brace around his hand.

Despite this, Robinson was brace-free in San Antonio before Wednesday’s tip-off against the Spurs. In fact, as seen in video shared by Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Robinson was even using his right hand to greet people courtside during his pre-game warmups.

Fans were naturally appreciative.

‘Having surgery on your hand and then choosing to go up against Wembanyama a few days later is a special kind of brave,’ one Knicks supporter wrote on X.

‘perfect timing,’ another added. ‘knicks interior defense upgraded, no more freebies in the paint, spurs are in for a rude welcome. lol’ 

Robinson did not hurt his hand in the four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but rather, at the team practice facility in West Chester. However, the exact cause of the break has not been revealed.

He practiced Tuesday, albeit with a brace on his right hand, and could be counted upon Wednesday in San Antonio to fill a defensive void against the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.

This is the Knicks’ first trip to the Finals since 1999, when they fell to the Spurs as San Antonio embarked on a stretch of five titles in 16 seasons under coach Gregg Popovich. 

He suffered a stroke in 2024 and has since stepped down as the Spurs head coach in favor of one of his assistants, Mitch Johnson. 

Interestingly, Knicks first-year head coach Mike Brown also served under Popovich in San Antonio in 2003, when the Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. 

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is set to tip-off at 8:30pm EST on ABC.