Knicks center exits with sprained ankle in Game 3 loss

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson exited Game 3 against the Sixers with a sprained left ankle, according to the team. Robinson was previously questionable before the game with an ankle issue.

According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Robinson looked hobbled throughout Thursday's loss. Even with him playing through the injury, losing Robinson is a huge deal for the Knicks with Joel Embiid on the other side of the court.

Robinson is averaging 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 31 games this season. In the first two games of the series, he averaged 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. When he exited the game, Robinson had two points and seven boards. New York was a plus-seven in Robinson’s 12 minutes of play but lost Game 3 by 11 points.

Isaiah Hartenstein (who drew the start) and Precious Achiuwa will likely see an increase in minutes if Robinson is to miss extended time. Hartenstein finished Game 3 with 14 points and five fouls and Achiuwa ended with four points and three fouls.

By defeating New York on its home floor, the Sixers avoided going down 3-0 and earned their first win of the series on their home floor. The two teams next play on Sunday for Game 4 and it’s unlikely Robinson is ready to play much, if at all in that game. Recovery times for ankle sprains differ wildly, so we’ll have to wait more to hear about his timeline. Robinson missed 51 regular-season games with ankle issues this season.