By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mitchell Robinson continues dealing with a hand injury, though New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown noted the 28-year-old big managed individual drills during Sunday’s team practice.
The reserve center remains a massive question mark for Game 1 of the NBA Finals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, as the staff leader admitted ignorance regarding the exact protective gear shielding the recently operated pinky finger, while completely withholding a definitive timeline for the player’s return. If cleared to play, the physical presence of the reserve center remains paramount to the defensive game plan, which heavily relies on his massive frame, rim protection, and dominant presence on the glass to counteract the unique challenges presented by French superstar Victor Wembanyama.
“He did some individual stuff,” said 56-year-old Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, during a press conference, leaving the recovery process to the medical staff. “I did not even ask, and I try not to even look at him.”
“They are well coached. They have a tremendous player in Wemby,” added the experienced tactician, describing his side matching up with the Spurs. “They are young to some degree, but they have some really good veterans on the team that kind of uplift the young guys and give the young guys a lot of guidance. So, they have a nice mix of players on their team. They are a team that really comes out really aggressive and hits first. Their crowd is into it, and we just have to go make sure we try to match or exceed their physicality to start the ball game while leaning on our standards.”
His squad plans to run through another practice session on Monday morning before flying out to Texas, where they will battle San Antonio at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks
Make